ISLAMABAD: An exhibition-cum-prize distribution ceremony of a poster competition was held at China Cultural Centre at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Friday.

The competition was based on the them, ‘One Belt One Road in My Eyes’ and was organised by China Cultural Centre and Cultural Office of the Chinese embassy in collaboration with All Pakistan-China Friendship Association (APCFA).

Director of China Cultural Centre and Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese embassy Zhang Heqing, APCFA President Atiya Qutab and PNCA Director General Jamal Shah were also present.

Pakistani students had portrayed different aspects and significance of the $5 trillion ‘One Belt One Road’ (OBOR) that China considers as ‘project of the century’ to facilitate trade and connectivity with 68 countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa through mega projects of roads, bridges, energy, ports, railways and power plants.

The students had also depicted the importance of the $60 billion CPEC, which is a part of OBOR, that offers a great strategic advantage to Pakistan and China.

Chinese embassy’s deputy head of mission Zhao Lijian and MNA Noreen Ibrahim distributed prizes and certificates among the winners and participants.

MNA Noreen Ibrahim praised the artistic skills, vision and understanding of the students.

“I am excited to see such wonderful posters,” she said, lauding the efforts of the organisers in strengthening friendship between the two countries.

She underscored Pakistan’s importance for China as a bridge with the middle eastern countries. Pakistan also needs the support of China as a strategic partner, the MNA from Kohat said.

“I see a dawn of a new era of development and a great opportunity for investment,” she added.

In her opening remarks, Atiya Qutab said over 200 students from 20 schools of the twin cities and Peshawar participated in the contest. Works of 53 students from 13 schools were selected and displayed in the gallery.

The theme was conceptualised to inspire and stimulate young students in understanding the importance of OBOR as a bridge between different countries and cultures.

The aim of the event was to promote friendship and mutual understanding thereby strengthening people-to-people communication and cooperation between Pakistan and China, she added.

We believe that through this exhibition more Pakistani students will learn about the history and culture of China and promote commonwealth, communications and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries as well as the world, said Zhang Heqing and Jamal Shah.

Yahya bin Fahad, a fifth-grade student of Apex Education System of Islamabad, and his team had won first prize for the painting titled ‘Together We Are’ depicting children of different countries and cultural background as one community in harmony.

Talking to Dawn, Fahad said with brimming eyes that he was excited to win the first slot and said it had strengthened his belief in togetherness. “As an individual, we are like a drop but together we are an ocean,” he said.Marjana Yadikar, a student of Supernova Islamabad, who won the second prize, echoed similar feelings.

She had depicted Pakistan-China relations in her poster ‘Building Friendship’ through intertwined tree branches and a bridge.

“I believe we can build a peaceful world and friendship based on social justice, equality and love irrespective of differences of faith, culture, colour and race.

Mariam Abbasi of the Headway Escala School Rawalpindi won the third position for her poster ‘Road to Success’, Ajmal Khan and Junaid Hakim of the Ali Trust School Islamabad got fourth position for their poster ‘Winner’, Palwasha Atif of and Fatima Afzal of the Supernova School Islamabad secured fifth and sixth positions respectively for their posters ‘Blossoming Friendship’ and ‘The Road’.

Hadiqa of the Pak Cambridge School, Rawalpindi, got the seventh slot for her poster ‘Panda and Markhor’.

The exhibits will remain on display until May 3 except on Saturday and Sunday.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2019