ISLAMABAD: The China Cultural Week started at the National Arts Gallery on Friday with exhibitions of Shanghai Expo 2010 photographs and books on Chinese language.

Minister for Culture Pir Aftab Shah Jilani and Chinese envoy Liu Jian jointly inaugurated the week to commemorate the 61st anniversary of founding of the Chinese republic.

In their speeches the minister and the ambassador termed the ties between the two countries as “epitome of excellent relations” based on shared vision on bilateral and international issues.

The minister said China has emerged as economic power and its growth was phenomenal. He thanked China and its people for assistance and support they provided during the 2005 earthquake and the recent floods in Pakistan.

Recalling dynamic cultural interaction between the two countries, the Chinese envoy referred to the Silk Road, the visit of Heun Tsang, an eminent Chinese monk who came to Pakistan during the Tang dynasty to study Buddhism at Taxila. This cultural exchange between the two countries continues, he said.

Recounting efforts of his country for the flood-hit people, he said the Chinese government has up till now given Pakistan $250 million and 101 trucks of relief goods.

PNCA Director General Tauqir Nasir referred to achievements in urban civilisation Shanghai reflects, and wished that cities of Pakistan make the same qualitative difference in their outlook.

With China’s ascendancy in financial and economic management, the focus of the cultural week was on learning Chinese language, with the help of visual illustrations of Chinese characters and texts.

Three films— After Shocks, On the Taihang Mountains, and Bodyguards and Assassins will be screened from September 25-27 at the PNCA auditorium. The cultural week will continue till October 8.
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