In order to celebrate the Chinese New Year, a festive ceremony was held at the Government College University Lahore here on Tuesday. Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah was the chief guest at the ceremony organized by the Center of Excellence, China Studies (CECS). The day-long festivity was marked by Chinese music and pictorial cultural exhibition whereas a large number of Chinese teachers and businessmen residing in the provincial metropolis also addressed the ceremony and briefed the participants about the Chinese culture, customs, lifestyle and traditions.

Speaking on the occasion, GCU CECS Director Professor Dr Khalid Manzoor Butt highlighted the need for establishment of more Chinese Studies centers throughout the country, saying that social and cultural integration of two friendly nations was highly crucial for the success of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He also stressed the need for strong academic and research collaboration among the universities of China and Pakistan for technology transfer, which, he said, should be an integral part of CPEC for the real economic benefits. VC Professor Dr Hassan Amir Shah said that celebrating and observing other cultures helped them understanding their own. He said strong people to people contact would surely open new vistas economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. He also greeted Chinese teachers and businessmen attending the ceremony on their New Year. Address the ceremony, Li Herong a Chinese language teacher at GCU, said Pakistanis were very loving, and Chinese were also very happy and secure while working here. "Pakistan is now like our second home," she added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018