ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with China and other nations to foster cultural exchanges, strengthen creative industries, and promote mutual understanding and tolerance across societies.
Speaking at the Second Golden Panda Awards International Culture Forum in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, the President emphasized the transformative power of art and culture in building bridges between nations.
“Culture remains a vital bridge to peace, prosperity and a shared future for humanity,” President Zardari stated in his address, highlighting the role of culture in connecting civilizations and uniting people.
The high-profile forum was attended by senior Chinese leaders, international delegates, artists, and cultural representatives, according to a press release from the President’s Secretariat Press Wing.
President Zardari praised the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China, describing it as a model of mutual respect and cooperation.
“The enduring Pakistan-China friendship stands as a model of mutual respect and cooperation,” he said, noting that the two nations would celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.
“This partnership remains not only strategic but also a living testimony of the deep bonds of friendship between our peoples,” he added.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support for China’s global vision, President Zardari endorsed initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI). He noted their focus on sustainable development, regional stability, and inclusive international cooperation.
He particularly emphasized the significance of the GGI:
“The GGI promotes respect for the diversity of civilizations, equality among cultures, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural dialogue as a counter to narratives of a ‘clash of civilizations’.”
President Zardari also reflected on the shifting global landscape and commended Chinese President Xi Jinping for advocating collaborative and peaceful solutions.
“The world is undergoing dramatic changes,” he said, and lauded China “for offering a path of cooperation and win-win solutions instead of confrontation.”
Later, a banquet was hosted in President Zardari’s honour by Wang Xiao Hui, Party Secretary of the Communist Party of China in Sichuan Province.
The event was attended by prominent Pakistani and Chinese dignitaries, including Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, senior Chinese officials, and other distinguished guests.
Read More :Yamaha Motorcycles Production Comes to an End in Pakistan
