BEIJING, Sep 8 (APP):More than 60 people from diverse backgrounds — including university students, academics, technology professionals and government officials — have gathered in Islamabad for a three-day programme aimed at introducing them to the Chinese language and culture. The programme, which began on Sept 7 and will conclude on Sept 9, is being organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the China Cultural Center …
Three-day Chinese Language and Culture Training Program kickstarts in Islamabad
BEIJING, Sep 8 (APP):More than 60 people from diverse backgrounds — including university students, academics, technology professionals and government officials — have gathered in Islamabad for a three-day programme aimed at introducing them to the Chinese language and culture.
The programme, which began on Sept 7 and will conclude on Sept 9, is being organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the China Cultural Center in Pakistan. It forms the second edition of the “Language of the Eastern Silk Road — Bridging China and Pakistan, Celebrating Shared Cultural Splendor” series.
The initiative follows the success of a four-day introductory session held last month at the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DoAM), with the latest programme drawing an even broader cross-section of participants.
Rather than limiting the sessions to language instruction, organisers have designed the programme to offer participants a glimpse into Chinese society and traditions. The curriculum introduces learners to Chinese culture, Pinyin phonetics, character strokes, calligraphy and traditional festivals.
At the practical level, the course seeks to give participants enough basic language skills to exchange greetings, introduce themselves, count and use simple expressions in everyday situations.
The response to the programme has been particularly striking. Organisers said registrations had significantly exceeded the number of available places, suggesting that interest in Chinese language learning is no longer confined to a small group of specialists or China-focused institutions.
From government offices and universities to communities outside traditional academic circles, the demand appears to be widening, reflecting the growing importance attached to understanding China and developing closer people-to-people links between the two countries.
Bai Jie, chairperson of the Pakistan-China Cultural and Economic Promotion Association, said the overwhelming response had encouraged the organisers to further improve the initiative. The organisers, she said, were looking at refining course materials, improving arrangements at the venue and introducing a wider range of activities to enhance the learning experience.
The discussions have also moved beyond textbooks and classroom exercises. Participants have shown keen interest in contemporary Chinese lifestyles, prompting exchanges about everyday life and modern society in China.
For many of those attending, therefore, learning Chinese is proving to be more than an exercise in acquiring a new language. It is also an opportunity to understand a culture whose influence on Pakistan’s economic, educational and diplomatic landscape has grown considerably over the years.
The organisers hope that the continued interest will help turn the programme into a sustained platform for cultural exchange, giving participants a more direct understanding of China while adding another layer to the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
