The University of Sargodha (UoS) marked the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations with a series of events highlighting bilateral friendship, educational cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
UoS marks 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties with special events
SARGODHA, Sep 01 (APP): The University of Sargodha (UoS) marked the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations with a series of events highlighting bilateral friendship, educational cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Chinese Consul General in Lahore Mr Sun Yan attended the main event as chief guest and cut a cake with UoS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qaisar Abbas to commemorate the anniversary.
Organised by the Pakistan Institute of China Studies (PICS), the event brought together Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Masood Sarwar Awan, PICS Director Prof Dr Tahir Mumtaz Awan, deans, directors, faculty members and students.
A conference titled “Pakistan-China at 75: Reflecting on the Journey, Shaping the Future from Enduring Friendship to a Shared Future” was also held as part of the celebrations. The event began with the national anthems of Pakistan and China.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Sun said the 75-year relationship had strengthened people-to-people ties between the two countries through mutual affection, cooperation, fraternity and cultural exchanges.
He said Pakistan and China had stood by each other during difficult times, describing their friendship as an example of peace, development and mutual trust in the region. He welcomed increased student exchanges between the two countries and called for continued joint efforts to turn the vision of a shared future into reality.
The consul general also appreciated UoS efforts to strengthen educational links with Chinese institutions.
Prof Dr Qaisar Abbas said his affection for China was partly rooted in his own experience of receiving higher education there, adding that the relationship between the two countries went beyond economic interests and was based on mutual respect, friendship and people-to-people bonds.
“Pakistan and China are indispensable to each other,” he said, stressing that UoS was committed to expanding academic cooperation with Chinese universities to help achieve shared development goals.
The vice chancellor said promotion of the Chinese language was an effective means of deepening people-to-people ties. He said UoS, in collaboration with Confucius Institute, was taking practical steps to promote Chinese language learning.
He said joint initiatives with Chinese universities were also being pursued in education, industry and agriculture. The UoS, he added, was working towards establishing a campus in China and developing projects with Chinese cooperation, including a modern hospital, an international boarding school, citrus value addition and cattle farming initiatives.
Prof Dr Tahir Mumtaz Awan gave an overview of the 75-year journey of Pakistan-China relations, from the establishment of diplomatic ties to the vision of a shared future. He also highlighted the initiatives being undertaken by PICS and the Confucius Institute at UoS to strengthen educational cooperation between the two countries.
An exhibition of artworks depicting Pakistan-China friendship was also organised by the Institute of Art and Design. Mr Sun inaugurated the exhibition and viewed works highlighting Chinese culture and the longstanding ties between the two countries.
Chinese Ambassador scholarships cheques were distributed among students during the event, while a special video on the Pak-China Youth Summer Camp was screened.
Mr Sun also inaugurated a PHEC quiz and essay-writing competition organised to mark the 75th anniversary and opened the China Resource Lounge. He visited the university’s History Wall, recorded his impressions and toured various university facilities.
The vice chancellor presented a souvenir to the Chinese consul general at the conclusion of the event.
