By Naveed Meraj and Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: The ‘Pakistan-China Friendship Festival,’ held in Islamabad, marking the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
This dynamic event, organized by the All-Pakistan China Friendship Association (APCFA) in collaboration with the PRC Embassy, aimed to inspire Pakistani Generation-Z students by showcasing the PRC’s phenomenal economic growth and cultural heritage.
At the festival, Chief Guests Mr. Zhang Heqing, Cultural Counselor of the PRC’s Embassy in Pakistan, and Mr. Ikhlaq Usmani, President of APCFA, highlighted the potential for development and growth that the younger generation of Pakistan holds, akin to China’s transformative journey.
To celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 10th anniversary of the launch of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) , All Pakistan-China Friendship Association in corporation with the… pic.twitter.com/OKWKxN7G8y
— Zhang Heqing (@zhang_heqing) October 16, 2023
The festival engaged approximately 100 students from Islamabad and Rawalpindi’s academic institutions in interactive sessions on Chinese calligraphy, culinary arts, and introductory Mandarin language courses, ensuring a participatory and educational experience.
Furthermore, the event featured a captivating video presentation on China’s growth and international endeavors, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). To conclude the day, the band ‘Poor Rich Boy’ enthralled the audience with songs celebrating the PRC’s achievements and the spirit of independence, echoing the words of Pakistani luminaries like Allama Iqbal.
