Pak, China Playing Vital Role for Peace in the Middle East, Says Chinese Consul General

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Chinese Consul General in Lahore, Sun Yan, said that China would continue extending full cooperation to Pakistan in eliminating terrorism and that both countries would keep playing a joint role in promoting peace in the Middle East.
He was addressing a ceremony organized by the Punjab University Confucius Institute at the Institute of Administrative Sciences to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
On the occasion, Chairman Admission Committee Prof Dr. Mahmood Saleem, former Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Registrar Dr Ahmad Islam, Director Confucius Institute Prof Dr. Sobia Khurram, Director IAS Dr. Kashif Rathore, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Lahore Prof Dr. Rabia Akhtar, as well as a large number of teachers and students from educational institutions in Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Faisalabad and Sheikhupura attended the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Sun Yan said Pakistan was the first Muslim country to establish diplomatic relations with China on May 21, 1951. He described bilateral ties as “deeper than the oceans and sweeter than honey,” adding that the relationship served as an example for the world.
He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor had opened new avenues of development in transport, energy and trade, while both countries were continuing efforts to further strengthen their strategic partnership.
The Chinese Consul General emphasized that easing visa policies, expanding trade cooperation and strengthening collaboration between universities and industries were essential to promoting people-to-people connections. He also noted that Pakistan, being an agricultural country, could address food security challenges through the use of modern technology.
Representing Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Muhammad Ali, Prof Dr. Mahmood Saleem thanked the distinguished guests and participants and said that Punjab University would continue playing its role in strengthening Pakistan-China relations.
Former Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan said Pak-China friendship was based on mutual trust and that both countries had consistently supported each other’s strength and stability. He added that during last year’s Pak-India tensions, the world witnessed the impact of defence cooperation between the two countries.
Prof Dr. Rabia Akhtar said Pak-China relations had stood the test of time and that Pakistan’s geostrategic importance gave it a unique position in the region. She stressed the need for Pakistan and China to jointly develop knowledge architecture in the field of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Kashif Rathore highlighted the importance of promoting cultural integration, economic cooperation and constructive engagement between the two countries. He said nations should focus on learning each other’s languages and proposed student exchange delegations from the school level. He also noted that Pakistan could learn significantly from China’s local government and governance model.
Prof Dr. Sobia Khurram said the 75-year diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and China reflected strong mutual trust and friendship. She added that the Confucius Institute had been promoting educational and cultural ties with Chinese universities for the past decade and was actively contributing to Chinese language promotion and cultural programs.
She said the purpose of the ceremony was to highlight the longstanding friendship, mutual cooperation, cultural ties and educational collaboration between Pakistan and China.