ISLAMABAD: The sixth ‘Love Knows No Borders’ International Charity Sale was held in Beijing’s Chaoyang park on Sunday.

The theme for this year’s fair — hosted by Qian Wei, the wife of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi — was “Bring New Hope to the Heart of Poor Children in Mountainous Areas”, said a message received here.

In her inaugural speech, Ms Qian said that funds raised this year would be used for carrying out surgical operations of children suffering from congenital heart disease (CHD).

The CHD is one of the most serious diseases in the Gui Zhou province in West China’s Yungui Plateau.

“Let us act with love to bring new hope to the hearts of the children in the mountainous areas,” said Ms Qian.

At the fair, shoppers visited various stalls to buy handicrafts and food items there.

The Pakistani stall attracted a large number of people. The artistically and tastefully decorated stall was visited, among others, by Ms Qian, her husband Foreign Minister Wang, Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khalid and his wife Sonia Khalid.

Sharing his views about the fair, Ambassador Khalid commended the concept and said the people who had donated wholeheartedly to the noble cause had exhibited their willingness to fulfil their responsibility towards the needy children.

“This would certainly rekindle hope in the hearts of the sick children,” he remarked.

The charity fair was a success as a large number of people thronged the stalls.

Launched by Le Aimei, China’s Honorary Ambassador for Poverty Alleviation, and wife of State Councillor Yang Jiechi, the fair was first held in 2009 to raise funds for needy people.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2014