Pak-China Centre to introduce Chinese traditions in capital

ISLAMABAD, August 24, 2009 (Balochistan Times): The ongoing project of Pak-China Friendship Centre here at Shakarparian will serve as an institution of introducing Chinese traditions to facilitate Pakistani people for understanding Chinese culture deeply. The centre would be completed by the end of December 2010 at an estimated cost of two and a half billion rupees to be jointly used for cultural events, conferences, exhibitions and shows to strengthen friendship and cultural ties between the two countries. As a gift from the people of China to Pakistan, the centre after completion will be handed over to the government of Pakistan for operation, maintenance and management, sources in the Ministry of Culture said. The project signifies a special feature of cultural relations between Pakistan and China as diplomatic relations between two countries are based on mutual trust and cooperation in all walks of life. The place would serve as a state of the art building that includes an auditorium of 800 seats, an exhibition centre, a conference room for 250 people and a multipurpose hall. It will provide a wide range of facilities to promote understanding in other fields of life specially in education and exchange of programmes related to integrated development of the youth. The two countries have developed a unique partnership in political, economic, defence, cultural and other fields and China has made commendable contributions to Pakistans economic development particularly in building infrastructure and setting up of heavy industry, the sources said. Chinese government offered to establish this centre in December 2004 and for this purpose, 12 acres land was provided by government of Pakistan while the project was started in November 2008. The building is being constructed by Shanghai Construction Group under arrangements of the government of China. It will help strengthening people to people relations with exchange of cultural programmes besides exchanging business, sports and tourism. The Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), engaged in building tallest buildings in China, will use its expertise in the completion of this project making it a true representation of Sino-Pak relations. The friendship between Pakistan and China has been attaining greater depth over the last 50 years and the proposed Pak-China Friendship Centre will be a significant milestone in this direction and go a long way in promoting and deepening the cultural ties between the two brotherly countries, the sources added.