LAHORE: The Punjab higher education department has established a Centre of Excellence for China Studies at the Government College University, Lahore.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has allocated a seed money of Rs30 million for the centre.

Chinese Embassy Cultural Counselor Zhang Yingbao, Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleequr Rahman and higher education secretary Abdullah Sumbal jointly inaugurated the China Studies Centre (CSC) on Thursday.

The university has established the centre at the historical Old Gymnasium Building, built in 1858. John Lockwood Kipling, father of Rudyard Kipling, referred this building as Dark Bungalow in his book.

VC Prof Rahman said the building had completely been restored, and state-of-the-art facilities provided for the centre. Besides research at the postgraduate level, he said, the centre would initiate diploma and certificates in China Studies.

In his message for the inauguration, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Sun Weidong said China enjoyed a splendid culture of more than 5,000 years, and a better understanding of Chinese culture would enhance the friendly exchanges between China and Pakistan.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Zhang Yingbao pledged to provide books, journals and other research material besides financial, administrative and academic assistance. He also gave a gift of painting to the centre on behalf of the Chinese ambassador.

GCU political science department chairman Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt has been given the look-after charge of the office of CSC director.

Education Minister Rana Mashhood said the Pak-China friendship was time-tested but people in Pakistan did not know much about China , adding that research and teaching of China Studies in Pakistan would help bring the people of both countries close to each other.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2014