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    Chinese Film Month begins in Islamabad

    Written by: Aiman Javed
    Posted on: February 08, 2018 | | 中文

    Chinese Architecture documentary

    On 2nd February, 2018, a Chinese Film Month arranged by China Cultural Centre, Pakistan kicked off in Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad. The month is being organized to celebrate the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, which falls on 16th February. For the entire month, one documentary and one film will be screened each Friday.

    Mr. You Yi

    Mr. You Yi

    On the launch, Mr. You Yi, the Chinese cultural counselor, spoke about upcoming events being organized by the China Cultural Centre, while Mr. Jamal Shah, DG PNCA, highlighted the noteworthy CPEC Cultural Caravan which has been undertaken through collaboration between Chinese and Pakistani artists. A festival showcasing the works of the artists is also being arranged at the end of the month. Mr. Jamal Shah also shared that he is involved in a film being made through partnership with Chinese.  

    Mr. Jamal Shah

    Mr. Jamal Shah

    The first half of an English documentary on Chinese architecture was screened on the occasion. The narrator systematically introduced the audience to basic facets of Chinese architecture through stunning visuals. She spoke about the significance of the house, various symbols such as the lion, and important monuments such as the Forbidden Palace.

    The hour long feature film chosen for the evening was ‘Breaking the Silence’ (2000), directed by Sun Zhou. The film was China’s nomination for the 73rd Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film category. In this heart-wrenching drama, a single mother (Gong Li) struggles to raise her deaf son (Gao Xin). Recognizing the importance of a normal education, she goes to great lengths to teach him how to speak clearly. The film shed light on issues of class, gender and disability. Despite the language barrier, the audience remained fully immersed in the wonderful film, understanding it with the help of subtitles. 

    Breaking the Silence (Source, Pak China News)

    Breaking the Silence (Source, Pak China News)

    On 9th February, the second half of the documentary on Chinese architecture will be screened, along with feature film ‘Go Away, Mr. Tumor.’ The comedy film chronicles the life of a comic artist who discovers that she has cancer. On 16th and 23rd February, documentaries on ‘Chinese Knots’ and the ‘Yellow River Civilization’ will be screened, as well as feature films ‘Monster Hunt’ and ‘Brotherhood of Blades.’

    The audience

    The audience


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021