By Shafqat Ali

 

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 31 (Gwadar Pro) - All Pakistan-China Friendship Association (PCFA) in partnership with Embassy of China in Pakistan held a well-attended online award ceremony for the participating students and winners on ‘CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) and Pakistan-China Friendship’ to celebrate 70 years of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations and friendship.

 

All the speakers agreed that Pakistan-China were strategic cooperative partners based on mutual trust and respect. What makes this friendship unique, is that it is rooted deeply in the hearts of the people of the two countries, which makes the bond everlasting, they noted at the Thursday event.

 

In her keynote speech, Pang Chunxue, minister counselor of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, congratulated the Pakistani youth on the vivid illustration of the friendship between Pakistan and China, and she said that these colourful  paintings  were indeed a wonderful gift to the celebration of the 70 years of Sino-Pakistan diplomatic relations. More cultural exchange and cooperation will bring this friendship to new heights, she hoped.

 

CPEC, she added, was playing a significant role in promoting people to people activity and is reflective of high quality growth of the BRI. CPEC has achieved good success and made tremendous contribution to the socio-economic development of Pakistan, to regional connectivity, with the joint efforts of both the countries.

 

Muhammad Ikhlaq Usmani, President of APCFA in his welcome remarks stated this commemorative art expressions had rekindled the hearts of the Pakistani youth to take the Pakistan-China friendship to greater heights. CPEC, he maintained was the reflection of the mutual trust and confidence both countries have for each other. ‘It has been built upon historically high levels of partnership between the two nations,’ he remarked.

 

Mubashar Tauqir Shah, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting opined that CPEC was a manifestation of the trusted friendship of Pakistan and China and a vote of confidence for Pakistan. It is a game-changer and both countries were witnessing the socio-economic benefits it is achieving for Pakistan.

 

Former Pakistani Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi in her address said that this event is a wonderful ending to the celebrations of this year 2021 to mark the 70th anniversary of Pak-China ties. She congratulated the youth on their interpretations of CPEC.

 

Pakistani students showcased the all-weather friendship between the iron brothers in a colourful display of dialogues and statements on their love for China. They beamed with tributes to the everlasting friendship of the two countries. 

 

APCFA organized this national painting competition in which despite the COVID-19 school closures, over 100 students participated from Gwadar to Peshawar. Total of 20 prizes for two age groups, 9-15 years and 16-18 years were awarded to students as 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners, with four appreciations awards. All the students received certificates and winners received other prizes.

 

This creative competition provided an opportunity to students from participating schools to paint their creations to demonstrate the many facets of Pakistan-China friendship as visualized by them.