BEIJING: A delegation comprising former prominent and reputed Chinese Envoys and diplomats who had served in Pakistan with distinction is arriving Islamabad on a week-long visit starting from Monday.
The delegation is led by former Ambassador Zhou Gang who was Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan from 1991-1995. The Deputy Leader of the delegation is Professor Tang Mengsheng, Director of Pakistan Study Center in Peking University.
The aim of the visit is to enhance the existing people to people and cultural contacts, find ways to further cement the unique friendship between the two countries and raise it to a higher plane.
The delegation would also formulate a report for its government identifying areas in which the existing cooperation can be further diversified, especially economic links, for the common benefit of the people of the two countries.
Presently, Ambassador Zhou Gang is a member of the Foreign Policy Advisory Committee of the Foreign Ministry of China, Director of China Foundation for International Studies and Advisor to Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.
Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khan commending the work done by the former envoys to build and augment the relationship between Pakistan and China said that the evergreen, strong tree of Pakistan-China owes its splendor and strength to the vision of succeeding generation of leaders and the hard work of Chinese and Pakistani diplomats, entrepreneurs, scholars and media persons among others.
Former Ambassador Lu Shulin, Professor Tang Mengsheng, former Consul General An Qiguang, Madam Deng Junbing, former Commercial Counsellor Pang Rongqian and Tain Yan are members of the delegation.
Ambassador Zhou Gang said that the people of China call Pakistan as 'China's sworn brother' and that as Ambassador to Pakistan he personally experienced the profound friendship of the Pakistani people with the Chinese people and saw with his own eyes the sincere efforts made by the Pakistan government to develop and foster Pakistan -China relations.
The government of Pakistan in recognition of Ambassador Zhou Gang's meritorious services and his tireless efforts in promoting Pakistan-China relations had awarded Hilal-i-Pakistan to him.
Paying tribute to the efforts of the former diplomats, Ambassador Masood Khan said that each individual makes a difference to the destiny of a nation and each one of the delegation members has made a huge difference to the forging of ties between Pakistan and China. We would always remember their contribution to this cause, Masood Khan said.
Professor Tang Mengsheng who is the Director of Pakistan Study Center in the Peking University has visited Pakistan several times before to promote cultural and intellectual contacts between the two countries. He is also publishing a book capturing experiences of top Chinese diplomats, educationalists, journalists and businesspersons who have direct contribution to the strengthening of Pakistan-China relations. He has been awarded Sitara-i-Khidmat and Sitara-i-Quaid-e-Azam by the government of Pakistan.
Former Ambassador Lu Shulin was China's Ambassador to Pakistan from 1999-2002. After his retirement, Ambassador Lu has written regularly articles on Pakistan-China relations and has been a keynote speaker in various seminars on Pak-China Friendship.
An Qiguang is former Chinese Consul General in Karachi who has immense contribution to strengthening of Pak-China relations. Madam Deng Junbing has also served in Pakistan in various capacities.
Talking about the visit, Ambassador Zhou Gang said that it would provide them an opportunity to interact with the leadership, think tanks, younger generation and educationists. It would also assist them in sharing their perspectives of Sino-Pak strategic partnership and map a future trajectory of this incomparable relationship.
Zhou Gang said that China and Pakistan relations have become a model of state to state relations which have made a positive contribution to safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
The delegation would also travel to Lahore during their stay in Pakistan and return to Beijing on February 26.
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