Pakistan and China partners in 21st century, says Mushahid

Pakistan and China partners in 21st century, says Mushahid

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed said on Tuesday Pakistan and China are partners in the 21st century, which has been dubbed as ‘Asia’s century’.

Mushahid, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, was speaking at a National Youth Conference organised by the Pakistan-China Institute and the Roots Schools System. The event started with the Pakistani and Chinese national anthems and was attended by a Chinese media delegation. Around 300 school students also participated in the event and were waiving Pakistani and Chinese flags.

The PML-Q leader said the Pakistan-China Institute would promote the bilateral relationship and highlight its hallmarks to all sections of the Pakistani society including the youth. He said the Pakistan-China Institute in collaboration with the Roots School System would launch the concept of 21/21, which would represent the population of both the neighbours, which is 21 percent of the total population of the world in the 21st century. The former senator said 2011 would mark 60 years of Pak-China friendship and the Pakistan-China institute would celebrate 2011 as the year of Pak-China friendship. All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) President Hameed Haroon said in order to promote better understanding between Pakistan and China, Chinese language classes be introduced in schools, colleges and universities. Peking University’s School of International Studies Dean Professor Wang Jisi said the “Group of 2” refers to Pakistan and China instead of China and the US.

Presiding over the National Youth Conference, Higher Education Commission Chairman Senator Javed Leghari said 5,000 scholarships would be awarded to Pakistani students, who wish to study in China and a new telecommunications university would be established near Peshawar with the help of private Chinese firms. Roots School System Director Faisal Mushtaq said they would introduce Chinese studies in the school and mobilise students to learn Chinese language. He also presented a Youth Handbook on China at the occasion. staff report