A ceremony celebrating the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China was held at the National Language Promotion Department in Islamabad, highlighting the role of cultural and educational collaboration in promoting regional peace, development, and prosperity. The event, titled “Pakistan-China Exemplary Friendly Relations: Reflections through Calligraphy,” featured a joint calligraphy exhibition and was organized in partnership with the Institute for Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China, Beijing.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of both countries and a recitation from the Holy Quran. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, presided over the gathering and officially opened the calligraphy exhibition. In his keynote address, the minister emphasized that the steadfast friendship between Pakistan and China stands as a bright guarantee for regional peace and development. He noted that such cultural events and exhibitions are milestones in strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties.
In a special video message, Professor Dr. Li Haoliang, Dean of the Institute for Community with Shared Future at the Communication University of China, applauded the deep-rooted ties between the two nations and described the exhibition as a significant step towards bringing the youth and creative communities of both countries closer. He reaffirmed the commitment of Chinese universities to expanding cooperation with Pakistani educational institutions, highlighting calligraphy not only as an art but also as a means of strengthening cultural bonds.
Representing the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, Political and Press Counsellor Wang Shang Ji reaffirmed that the friendly relations between China and Pakistan are a shining example of peace and cooperation in the region, and that such initiatives will further deepen these ties. Dr. Abid Sial, Associate Professor at the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, praised the exhibition, stating that such cultural exchanges offer valuable opportunities for the people of both countries to better understand each other.
Other speakers, including Shahid Mahmood Khokhar, Chairman of the Implementation Tribunal for Newspaper Employees Islamabad, also underscored the pivotal role of Pakistan-China relations in regional peace and development. Professor Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Director General of the National Language Promotion Department, expressed gratitude to the federal minister and other distinguished guests for their participation. He highlighted the contributions of students trained by the department, whose calligraphic artworks reflected the beauty of the friendship between Pakistan and China.
As part of the event and under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a tree plantation drive was initiated, with Aurangzeb Khan Khichi and officials from the language department planting saplings on the institute’s grounds. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of floral bouquets and a group photograph capturing the spirit of Pakistan-China friendship.
