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    Wuhan Culture and Tourism Performance at PNCA

    Written by: Mahnoor Fatima
    Posted on: June 20, 2019 | | 中文

    The Goddess of Heaven Scatters Flowers

    The Musical, Dance and Cultural Show and Wuhan Tourism Promotional Event took place at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) on Tuesday, 18th June and Wednesday, 19th June. The event was inaugurated by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Mr. Yao Jing and the Minister of State for Information, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan. The event was hosted by the China Cultural Center in Pakistan as a part of the China Tourism and Cultural Week 2019. Most notably, the event focused on songs, dances and other art forms, as a way to entertain and educate the people of Pakistan on the diversity of Chinese culture.

    The event kicked off with a presentation on Wuhan’s many attractions which could appeal to Pakistani tourists, such as the city’s natural beauty and modern infrastructure. Situated in the populous Hubei province, Wuhan is an emerging megacity set on the banks of the Yangtze river. As explained by Mr. Liu Qingping, tourism in Wuhan presents Pakistanis with a unique opportunity to experience a hitherto unknown and exciting facet within the diverse land of China. The artists and performers of the evening were exclusively from Wuhan, and showcased the kind of culture one could experience while travelling through the region.

    Folk Music Ensemble

    Folk Music Ensemble

    Following the presentation, a folk music ensemble that played traditional instruments with different sounds, came together to make a beautiful and uniquely Chinese melody. This was an interesting contrast to the performance of the monochord, a singular instrument capable of producing a whole opera on its own using its variety of sounds. There were also excerpts from Chinese operas such as ‘The Goddess of Heaven Scatters Flowers’ and ‘Flower Wall Rendezvous,’ which are well known and beloved pieces from the region. The Chinese host for the evening, Mr. Dong Yanfeng surprised the audience by singing and acting alongside performer Ms. Liu Ying, for one of the final musical acts.

    Within dance performances, Chinese culture was depicted in all its manifestations, whether by narrating ancient folklore through puppetry or expressing desire through a contemporary interpretive dance. What tied these dances together were stories of love and community, and a sense of pride in the Chinese language, which the dancers wanted to share with the Pakistani audience.

    Chinese Puppetry

    Chinese Puppetry

    Besides the song and dance, there were other art forms wherein artists from Wuhan could display their skills. Ms. Zhu Weili’s magic tricks tantalized the audience as she effortlessly performed a sleight of hand with a cheeky grin. Along with that, Mr. Sun Zhongjiang’s wonderfully entertaining impressions of various animals and machines, made the children in the audience roar with laughter and applause.

    Mr. Sun Zhongjiang

    Mr. Sun Zhongjiang

    There were also performances by PNCA’s own dance troupe of the Pashtun Khattak Dance and the Punjabi Bhangra, which complemented the Chinese performances using bright colours and the spirit of celebration. However, despite the difference in language and aesthetics, both types of art forms received warm applause from the audience members, making it a truly enjoyable evening.

    Bhangra perfromance

    Bhangra perfromance

    Representatives of both governments emphasized the importance of tourism opportunities in deepening the alliance between Pakistan and China. Alongside new tourism policies, Mr. Yao Jing highlighted how events such as these are important for the people-to-people connectivity between the two nations, which not only share many similarities but also have a long-established friendship. Dr. Awan further emphasized the need to convert the sentiment of camaraderie into a mutual cultural exchange.

    Such events bring together the excitement of tourism with the reverence and enjoyment of culture and art, making it a pleasurable experience for everyone who attends. It is vital to continue showcasing such performances, so that both Pakistanis and Chinese come to have a better understanding of their shared love for their culture and heritage.

    Flower Wall Rendezvous

    Flower Wall Rendezvous


    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