Islamabad:
President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed on Saturday the preparation of Pakistan to work with China and other nations to expand cultural exchanges, strengthen creative industries and promote understanding and a culture of tolerance.
He said that culture remained a vital bridge for peace, prosperity and a shared future for humanity.
The president went to the Second International Culture Forum of the Golden Panda Awards in Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, and highlighted the power of art and culture to unite people and connect civilizations.
The Forum was attended by Chinese leaders, cultural representatives, artists and international delegates, said President Secretariat Press Wing in a press release.
President Zardari stressed that the lasting friendship of Pakistan-China was a model of mutual respect and cooperation.
While the two countries prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, he recalled that this association remained not only strategic but also a living testimony of the deep links of friendship between their peoples.
President Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s full support for China’s vision on the “exchange of civilization and mutual learning” and emphasized the importance of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), pointing out its focus on sustainable development, regional stability and more inclusive international cooperation.
He stressed the importance of GGI, which promoted respect for the diversity of civilizations, equality between cultures, exchanges of people to people and cultural dialogue as an opposite to the narratives of a “clash of civilizations.”
The president observed that the world was experiencing dramatic changes and praised China under President XI for offering a path of cooperation and winning solutions instead of confrontation.
A banquet was organized by the Secretary of the Communist Party of China Wang Xiao Hui in honor of President Asif Ali Zardari in the province of Sichuan on Saturday.
To the assistance to ASEEFA Bhutto Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Senator Salem Mandviwalo, the Pakistan ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, China’s ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, senior Chinese officials and other distinguished guests.
