A special cultural and musical gala was held last week marking the conclusion of year-long festivities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.
Produced and organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China in collaboration with the Chinese embassy, the performances marked the conclusion of a series of cultural events held last year highlighting the time-tested friendship, achievements and deep relations between the two countries.
Zhang Xu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, while delivering a speech on the occasion highlighted the great achievements of bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
While extending greetings to the people of Pakistan, the vice-minister hoped that the relations between the two countries will be further strengthened through cultural exchanges and cooperation.
While extending greetings to the people of Pakistan, the vice-minister hoped that the relations between the two countries will be further strengthened through cultural exchanges and cooperation.
“China and Pakistan are not only good neighbours but also good partners, friends and brothers. Since 1951, no matter how the international arena evolves, the bilateral friendship has always been firm and unbreakable,” Mr Xu said.
Over the past 70 years, cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between the two states have been very fruitful. Both countries signed 14 executive programmes on culture, tourism, literature, heritage, art, youth and education.
China and Pakistan have agreed to cooperate with each other on major international and regional issues, he said. The two countries have closely worked in cultural promotion and heritage conservation. This year, according to the vice-minister, jointly carried out a number of events to celebrate the 70th anniversary and online interactions between performing arts companies, tourism promotion exchange of exhibition and culture heritage.
China Cultural Center in Pakistan has become an important window for the Pakistani people to know about Chinese culture and society.
It is pertinent to mention that the performance has been highly praised, and the special program released online by HUM TV’s official Facebook received over 60 thousand likes and over one million views in one single day.
Mr Zhang said on November 29 he along with Pakistani ambassador Moinul Haque signed a memorandum of understanding on promoting tourism exchange and cooperation.
China is ready to work with Pakistan on more extensive and substantial cooperation in cultural and tourism sectors to cement bilateral ties between the two countries and make a great contribution to “Road and Belt” as well as in building an Asian community with a shared future, Mr Zhang said.
“I believe that these activities will effectively enhance cooperation in culture and tourism, deepen mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, bring their hearts closure despite geographical distances and create a festive atmosphere,” the vice minister concluded.
Chinese performing arts troupes have made several visits to Pakistan for Chinese New Year celebrations every year and received a warm welcome in Pakistan.
China Cultural Centre has become an important window for the Pakistani people to know about Chinese culture and society.
The performances included Peking Opera, a violin concerto, percussion, ballet and folk songs including Pakistani popular songs by Chinese artists showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the two countries.
Percussion music ‘Prancing Dragons and Ramming Tigers” was performed by China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre artists featuring a combination of tonality and rhythms using different drums.
The beautiful ballet performance “Dunhuang Flying Apsara” was performed by artists of the National Ballet of China. Based on the frescoes of Mogao Grottoes at the World Cultural Heritage site Dunhuang, the ballet depicts the swaying and graceful flying movements of the Deva Goddess.
Chinese singer Hou Wei presented Pakistani pop singer Hadiqa Kiyani’s popular number ‘Bohey Barian’ while dance instructor and artist Zhang Sisi presented a Kathak dance meticulously. She also performed a dance with a little adorable Chinese girl Xu Meinuo on the famous Baloch folk artists Komal Rizvi and Akhtar Channal’s popular folk song ‘Dana Pe Dana’.
The famous Peking Opera’s excerpts “The Palace of Eternal Life” from the Cherished Royal Cancobine Yang Guitei was presented by artists Yu Kuizhiand Li Shengsu. A quintessential Chinese art form, the Peking Opera is the essence of Chinese traditional culture. The Palace of Eternal Life depicts a love scene between Emperor Xuazong of Tang and Imperial concubine Yang Yuhuan.
An enchanting romantic “Magnolia Blooming” was performed by two artists from China National Opera and Dance Drama Theatre. The performance showed that the spring season has arrived, flowers are blooming, lovers are talking to each other about their love under the blossoming magnolia tree.
A beautiful violin concerto “Butterfly Lovers” was presented by China Radio Film Symphony Orchestra with lead violinist Lv Siqing and conducted by Fan Tao.
Based on “butterfly Lovers” a traditional Chinese love story which is known as Romeo and Juliet of the East, the classic piece of Chinese national symphonic music repertoire is very melodious and undulating.
The programme released online by HUM TV on its official Facebook page was well received by over a million viewers and liked by over 60,000 in one single day.