Newswire
Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi this week called for further expansion of Pakistan-China cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, tourism, technology and youth exchanges, describing the bilateral relationship as a time-tested friendship that had remained steadfast for decades.
Addressing a ceremony at the Governor House in Peshawar to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations and unveil a new Urdu anthem celebrating the friendship, Kundi said Pakistan and China had consistently stood by each other and expressed confidence that the relationship would continue to deepen in the years ahead.
The event, organised in connection with the 75th anniversary celebrations, also featured the launch of a new Urdu anthem titled “China Pakistan”, produced by China Window and PTV Peshawar. The initiative was presented as another effort to promote people-to-people contacts and strengthen cultural understanding between the two countries.
The ceremony was attended by China Window founder Amjad Aziz Malik, former world squash champion Qamar Zaman, senior journalist Arshad Aziz Malik, China Culture Centre Adviser Bai Jie, Chinese representative Chen Tiantiang, officials of the Chinese Embassy, recipients of Presidential Awards, sports personalities, students and other distinguished guests.
Students of Peshawar Model School also presented a tableau based on the national anthem, adding a cultural dimension to the ceremony and highlighting the role of younger generations in carrying forward the Pakistan-China friendship.
Kundi said China had remained Pakistan’s trusted partner through difficult periods and had consistently supported the country in times of need. He said the long-standing relationship had evolved beyond traditional diplomatic ties and now encompassed economic, technological, cultural, educational and people-to-people cooperation.
The governor particularly highlighted the economic potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the province possessed vast mineral resources, significant tourism opportunities and a strategically important geographical location that could provide new avenues for cooperation with Chinese businesses and institutions.
He called for intensified efforts to attract Chinese investment to the province, particularly in areas where KP possessed comparative advantages.
Kundi said greater Chinese participation in the province’s mining, tourism, trade, technology and other productive sectors could contribute to local economic development while creating employment opportunities for the province’s young population.
He also urged the relevant authorities to promote Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a destination for Chinese tourists, saying the province’s mountains, valleys, cultural heritage and historical sites offered considerable potential for tourism cooperation.
The governor said Chinese tourists should be introduced to the province’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage through targeted initiatives designed to enhance tourism links between the two countries.
He appreciated the role being played by China Window in promoting cultural understanding and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and China, assuring the organisation of the Governor House’s full support for initiatives aimed at further strengthening the relationship.
Kundi said information technology, trade and cultural exchanges would become increasingly important pillars of Pakistan-China relations in the future. He also called for greater opportunities for young people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to benefit from Pakistan-China cooperation.
In this regard, he stressed the need to increase scholarships for KP students in Chinese universities and educational institutions and called for expanded opportunities in education, sports and employment.
He said closer interaction between Pakistani and Chinese youth could help create a stronger foundation for the bilateral relationship by enabling young people from both countries to understand each other’s societies, cultures and aspirations.
The governor also highlighted the importance of sports diplomacy, saying sporting exchanges could help project a positive image of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while simultaneously creating opportunities for greater interaction between Pakistani and Chinese communities.
He proposed holding Dragon Boat competitions at Khanpur Dam next year as a means of promoting sports and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and China.
The proposal, he said, could provide an opportunity to introduce a popular Chinese sporting tradition in Pakistan while encouraging greater interaction among athletes and sports organisations from the two countries.
Kundi also welcomed Chinese investors to explore investment opportunities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, assuring them of support and cooperation.
He said the province could offer investment opportunities in sectors ranging from minerals and tourism to technology and trade, and stressed that stronger economic engagement should complement the existing political and diplomatic relationship between Pakistan and China.
The governor’s remarks came as Pakistan and China mark seven and a half decades of diplomatic ties, with both countries seeking to broaden their longstanding relationship through economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, technological collaboration and greater people-to-people connectivity.
