Italy as a holiday destination is irresistible. The cradle of Roman civilization and the birth-place of Italian Renaissance, its long and narrow land protruding into the blue Mediterranean, bestowing it with thousands of miles of beaches. Take your pick as to what interests you: as a history buff in search of the legacy of Caesar and Cicero, or as an art aficionado, thirsting for a first-hand look at Michelangelo or Bernini’s work, or just a sun worshipper, who wants to soak in the beach culture and swim in the sea.
CINQUE TERRE
We chose to start our Italian trip from Cinque Terre (five villages), a part of the Italian Riviera in the region of Liguria. Their remoteness, picturesque villages, combining good hiking trails with beaches, no motorized traffic (cars and motorbikes are banned), was appealing. These villages date back to the medieval times, if not earlier, and were primarily fishing villages. Till a couple of decades ago, they were not on the tourist trail. Far from a big city, the nearest being Genoa, they retain some of their rustic flavor. Not surprisingly, there are hardly any hotels, and tourists have to make do with rented apartments.
It is their topography that has endowed them with fascination for the visitor: clinging precipitously to cliffs, most have access to the blue Mediterranean, while hills of green terraced vineyards provide them with a stunning backdrop. No wonder they have been declared a UNESCO heritage site.
The villages are connected by a local railway, which runs along the curving coastline, and the Sentiero Azzurro or coastal pathway, which runs along the side of the cliffs, over-looking the blue sea. The choice is between walking, taking a boat or a train. Since the boat comes at long intervals, the options are further reduced, and although bicycles are allowed, I didn’t see any.
We landed in Nice, and took a train to Riomaggiore, which has the rare advantage of having a decent hotel.
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
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.
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