February 15, 2008	Friday	Safar 07, 1429

LAHORE, Feb 14: A 12-member Chinese delegation headed by H.E. Mr Jiang Xiaoyu, Executive Vice President of the Beijing Olympics organising committee, met with the president and prime minister of Pakistan along with several other officials in order to exchange views on the smooth holding of the Olympics torch bearing ceremony in Islamabad on April 16.

A spokesman of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) said that before meeting the president and prime minister, the delegation also held bilateral talks with the head of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and officials of the respective ministries of sports, foreign affairs, interior and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Islamabad.

POA president Lt. Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hassan briefed the delegation about the preparations, routes, security plans and promotional events made in connection with the Torch Relay while assuring them of full protocol, security and administrative support for the successful holding of the event in Islamabad.

“The torch symbolises the Olympic vision of unity, peace and brotherhood amongst mankind. It symbolises the hopes and aspirations of all, irrespective of caste, colour or creed and Pakistan shares this vision,” the spokesman said.

In Islamabad, the delegation also visited the National Monument at Shakar Parian, and the Pakistan Sports Complex.

Besides Jiang Xiaoyu, the delegation includes H.E. Mr Luo Zhao Hui, Ambassador, Embassy of People’s Republic of China in Pakistan, Mr Wu Hailong, Director General, Department of International Organisations and Conference, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Guo Yan, Counsellor, Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lin Xiaohua, Deputy Director of the BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Mr Li Ziyong, Director of Security Division of the BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Ms Peng Jie, Director of News Division of the BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Mr Wen Fulin, Deputy Division Director, BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Mr Luo Xiaobo, Deputy Division Director, Department of International Organisations and Conferences, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Peng Zhengwu, City Liaison Officer, BOCOG’s Torch Relay Centre, Mr Changqing, Official, Department of News and Information, Ministry of Publicity and Mr Zhang Chao, Interpreter, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.