Gilani for using dialogue for global harmony, common development

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir
SUZHOU: Addressing the first biannual meeting of the World Cultural Forum (WCF), visiting Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has urged the international community to use dialogue for a mutual harmonious relationship and said the cultural and civilizational contacts could do wonders in ensuring global peace.

The theme of the forum is "Dialogue and Cooperation for World Harmony and Common Development." Prime Minister Gilani arrived in the eastern city Suzhou by car from coast city Shanghai about one hundred miles from here to inaugurate the first biannual conference of WCF.

The forum has been named after unruffled Taihu Lake of which bank the gathering has been organised. More than 500 prominent people including political leaders, intellectuals and prominent cultural figures from across the world are taking part in the event.

Prime Minister Gilani who is in China for a four-day trip of the country to participate in the ceremonies to commemorate 60th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties has come from Shanghai to attend the forum. It will also focus on strengthening people-to-people and cultural relations of the two countries.

The Prime Minister urged the global leaders to utilize the softer tool of cultural contacts to minimize the mutual distances. He mentioned the evergreen friendship between Pakistan and China, where people of both the countries benefited from their rich civilizational interactions spanning over several millenniums between the Indus Valley and Gandhara civilizations and the Chinese civilization. "The amalgam is not only beautiful but strong and precious.

The themes of harmony resonate and form the national ethos of the people's of Pakistan and China," he said. Gilani said Pakistan and China being close friends and good neighbours enjoyed the all-weather friendship that was deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of their people.

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan admired the accomplishments of the great Chinese nation, adding that the world is witnessing a renaissance of the ancient and glorious Chinese civilization. This is evident in the domains of art and crafts, literature, science and technology and multiple disciplines, he said.

"I have no doubt that Chinese sagacity and thought will have a profoundly beneficial impact for the mankind, as a whole. We are happy to see China shape the Twenty First Century world," he said.

He said that the forum epitomized the theme of friendship and harmony among all peoples of the world. The contacts between the cultures and civilizations of Pakistan and China had been mutually enriching.

"We continue to build new bridges and enhance connectivity between our countries," he said.

He said Pakistan is delighted that the Taihu WCF was being held in the Pakistan-China Friendship Year as the two countries are celebrating 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

Pakistan-China friendship epitomizes complete understanding, full trust, mutual cooperation and harmony. It is an abiding friendship based on shared values and ideals, he said.

Gilani said close links existed between the universities and academic institutions of Pakistan and China and added that Pakistan study centres had been set up at some of the most prestigious Chinese universities such as Peking, Tsinghua, Sichuan and Fudan. He also mentioned the annual exchange of youth delegations and the Confucius Institute in Pakistan and the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad that are also promoting cultural and people to people interactions.

Chinese State Councilor Madame Liu Yandong said removing misunderstandings among the nations, countries and ethnic groups are the need of the hour. She said beautiful cultures were a common wealth of the mankind and said it could be used for bringing the people with differences together for a better world.

Earlier talking to Chinese State Councillor Madame Liu Yandong soon after arriving here Prime Minister Gilani asked for viewing Sino-Pak ties in a futuristic way and inculcating the friendly essence of relationship to the younger generations. Prime Minister Gilani said marking the 60th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, it was the time to transfer the real spirit of friendship between the two countries to the next generations to strengthen the foundation for a long-term and durable relationship.

He stressed for developing people-to-people contacts through student and parliamentary exchange programs. He mentioned the exchange of 100-member youth delegations from both the countries and said it was helpful in educating youth about the love and affinity that existed between the two nations.

Gilani appreciated the 500 scholarships announced by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his recent visit to Pakistan to be consumed in three years.

He said 6,000 Pakistani students are getting education in different universities in China and the focus is on taking the number to 10,000 in the next few years.

According to a foreign office personnel privy to the meeting, the State Councilor said Pakistan and China enjoys evergreen relationship and called for taking these ties to a much higher level.

"Despite volatile political situation, China will support its strategic partner Pakistan," she said.

She said Pakistan played an important role in maintaining stability and fighting terrorism.

She recalled the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan and termed it very useful which was also bringing positive results.

She informed the Prime Minister that the effort of organizing World Cultural Forum was to enhance not only the cultural quality of the whole Chinese nation but also to build a more prosperous and harmonious future for the entire world.