June 15, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 10, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 14: Shan Baoxiang has rendered remarkable services to further cement Pakistan-China friendship. These views were expressed by Prof Aftab Iqbal Shameem while presiding over a reception held in honour of Mr Baoxiang, the outgoing cultural counsellor at the embassy of China. The programme was arranged by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).

Prof Shameem said Mr Baoxiang’s efforts had strengthened cultural ties between the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Baoxiang said Pakistan-China friendship is as strong as the Himalayan mountain and as deep as the sea and sweet like fresh water. He expressed the hope that this friendship would be further enhanced in future.

Chairman PAL Iftikhar Arif said the people of Pakistan and China have deep-rooted affection towards each other. There is a strong need to further strengthen the mutual trust underlying our long-standing relationship through meetings of scholars, people- to-people interaction, parliamentary contacts, student exchanges, sporting links, etc.

He said Pakistan-China relationship was enduring, multi- dimensional and deep-rooted. “The long-standing ties of friendship between our two countries, underpinned by mutual trust and confidence, are a model for good neighbourly relations based on principles of peaceful coexistence.”

Ijaz Raheem said Mr Baoxiang has done a wonderful job introducing the culture and literature of both countries to the people from both sides. He said Chinese literature is one of the greatest in the world.

Kishwar Naheed said the Chinese official was fully acquainted with Pakistani culture and he adopted it fully. She said his services for the promotion of both the countries cannot be ignored.

Agha Nasir said Mr Baoxiang really loved Pakistan and we will remember him for a long time.

Akram Zaki said it is due to his efforts that Pakistani literature was recognised and being promoted in China. He added that Pakistani film and drama were dubbed in Chinese language.

Director-General PAL Zaheeruddin Malik, Director-General, Pakistan Sports Board, Mohammad Anwar Khan, Wahid Bakhsh Buzdar from literary organisation Jam Durrak Welfare Society, Anjum Khaleeq from literary organisation ‘Imkaan’, Manzar Naqvi, secretary, Halqa-i-Arbab-i-Zauq, Islamabad; Umar Mukhtar Afridi from ‘Qalam’ and Ilyas Babar from Halqa Arbab-i-Zauq, Rawalpindi, presented a bouquet and Hafeezullah Badal from Halqa Takhleeq-i- Adab, Taxila, presented a gift to Shan Baoxiang on the occasion.