Tuesday 8 May 2012

Pakistan Culture Week starts at China Women’s University


Embassy of Pakistan
(Information Section)
China

Beijing; May 8, 2012

Pakistan Culture Week was inaugurated at the China Women’s University (CWU) by Ambassador Masood Khan here today.

During the Culture Week students of CWU would be informed about Pakistan through a photographic exhibition as well as through various documentaries. The event has been arranged in collaboration with the Pakistan Embassy in China.

On this occasion an Ambassadors’ Forum was also arranged in which Ambassador Masood Khan addressed nearly 400 students of CWU for over 90 minutes which also included an extensive Question & Answer session.

During his address the Ambassador said that the relationship between Pakistan and China is a model of friendship between any two states of the world. He said this is the strongest bond that has ever existed between any two nations and now it is the responsibility of the youth of both the countries to carry this relationship forward.

The Ambassador said: “The relationship between our two countries has grown from strength to strength as we stood by each other in times of difficulty and at moments of need while working hard for securing each other’s interests and ensuring each other’s security,” he said.

The Ambassador thanked the President of CWU for organizing the Pakistan Culture Week. He said: “We are touched by this special gesture as you have taken a step towards creating awareness among the Chinese students about their closest ally.”

Masood Khan said Pakistan and China share many things including ancient civilizations as well as a common perspective on international issues especially the desire of having peace and harmony in the region.

Talking about the women of China the Ambassador said that the people of China are rightly proud of their achievements. He said in the last three decades there has been a huge transformation in China and today their women are represented in all sectors. This, he said, has been possible because of their clear vision, sheer determination and hard work. He said the students of CWU, with their intelligent and perceptive minds, are the carriers of this illustrious tradition.

Replying to a question, the Ambassador said the government of Pakistan has taken a number of steps to ensure empowerment of women including one-third representation in parliament, special quota for jobs in addition to enacting a series of legislations to protect and advance their socio-economic rights.

As a result of these initiatives, today the women of Pakistan are working as Ambassadors, Judges, Heads of Banks, pilots as well as parliamentarians.

He said the government of Pakistan has also taken an innovative step towards eradicating poverty by providing financial assistance to the women of very poor households under the Benazir Income Support Program.

Masood Khan said the most important factors in empowering the women are to provide them better health and education facilities especially vocational training.

In her opening remarks Madam Zhang Lixi said the “Ambassador’s speech will broaden our horizon on international issues, deepen our understanding of the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan as well as Pakistan culture, and further enhance our competence in cross-cultural communication.”

Earlier, the Ambassador also held meeting with Madam Zhang Lixi, President of China Women’s University in which he discussed the possibility of cooperation between Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU)of Pakistan and CWU.

He expressed the confidence that the two universities would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding focusing on the exchange of students and faculty members of the two universities, teaching of Chinese language at the FJWU, establishment of Pakistan-China study centers in both the universities and scholarships for female students of both the countries on reciprocal basis.

Madam Zhang Lixi said Pakistan and China are good neighbors, good partners and good brothers. Over the years people of both the countries have maintained multi-level exchanges in various ways, she observed.

CWU’s first Pakistan Culture Week, she said, will give exposure to the students and teachers of the University about Pakistan’s photos, movies, music as well as cuisine, reflecting aspects of Pakistan’s society and culture.

She said this will serve as a learning platform for the students to go beyond the classroom.

She informed the Ambassador that CWU is the only state-financed institute of higher learning exclusively for women in China. It is affiliated with the All-China Women’s Federation and is working under the academic administration of the Ministry of Education.

Famous Chinese philanthropist and former Vice President of All-China Women’s Federal Madam Feng Cui was also present during the meeting.

The Ambassador, along with the Madam Lixi also took a round of the university and mingled with the students.

The festival would continue till May 14th.
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