ISLAMABAD: A Chinese cultural show was held on Wednesday to mark the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, organised by the China Cultural Centre and the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Chinese and Pakistani performers presented a fusion of Chinese and Pakistani cultural performing arts, attired in vibrant traditional dress and jewellery from various parts of both countries.

The show opened with a dance from the Hunan Province called the Duo Ga Duo Ye (Let’s Sing and Dance), followed by the scenery of the Dong Ting Lake, which is known for good agricultural products. The depiction of the lake was presented alongside traditional Chinese music.

Chinese artists also performed a rendition of the popular Pakistani song Main Bhi Pakistan Hoon, Tu Bhi Pakistan Hay, as well as a traditional Chinese puppet show and a rendition of the popular Chinese song Horse Racing.

Tribute was also paid to the all-weather friendship between the Chinese and Pakistani people.

A part from an opera based on a famous Chinese novel, in which a drunken monk imitates Buddha Arhat postures to express his ambitious expectations, was also performed.

Pakistani performers presented depictions of cultural diversity through dance and also performed traditional Chinese music. The main performance was of the Balti dance which dancers performed in front of a scenic background in brightly coloured traditional attire. A group of ten men and women performed the dance, in which every male performer presents a female performer with a flower, which she accepts as a symbol of accepting him as her life partner,

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said China and Pakistan were brotherly nations that trusted in their longstanding relationship. He said the China-Pakistan friendship was a valuable asset to both countries, and they had a long history of cultural exchange.

“It is good to see [Pakistani and Chinese] artists performing together; this is a reflection of the deep-rooted relationship between both countries,” he said.

Information Minister Pervez Rashid echoed the ambassador’s sentiments, and said the Silk route is one of the oldest business routes in the world and a symbol of the friendship between both countries.

The minister said cultural interaction and exchanged between the two countries would be increased to educate the people of both countries about each other’s art, traditional and folk culture.

Adviser to the prime minister Irfan Siddiqui said the trust between China and Pakistan grows with each passing day. “Friendship between two countries is usually based on mutual interests, but in the Pak-China friendship along with mutual interests, we enjoy mutual faith and loyalty,” he said.

An audience member, Mahvish Shah, called the cultural show a “treat”. “It was not only beautiful, but creates awareness and affinity for the two nations and their people. Art requires no language, so it was beyond any barrier.”

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2016