Pakistani students thrilled over response letter from Chinese President

BEIJING: Pakistani students of University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), who wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, said that they were glad and excited to receive President Xi’s reply.

Last month, 52 Pakistani students who are pursuing PhD and post-graduate degrees in UTSB, had written a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In his reply to the students' letter, President Xi encouraged them to communicate more with their Chinese peers, after learning that the students have enriched their knowledge and made quite a few friends in the country while studying in China.

The president said that he felt happy for the achievements the students have made so far.

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Ali, an Information and Communication doctoral student of USTB told China Economic Net that back in February, they had the idea to write a letter to President Xi. The cooperation between Pakistan and China on fighting against COVID-19 has encouraged them, he said.

“Strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and China is our responsibility,” said Ali.

After the idea was first conceived, many Pakistani students of USTB enthusiastically participated in writing the joint letter. “We heard that there was an idea to write a letter to President Xi; we were so excited. Most of us immediately decided to take part in such a good thing. My father had studied in USTB as well when he was young. I followed his steps and came to Beijing. I think the joint letter to President Xi is significant to improve the relationship between Pakistan and China. We had to do it,” Ali said.

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In the letter to the president, Pakistani students have recalled their experiences and feelings of studying in China, and expressed their gratitude to the university for providing care and help after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Regarding whether they expected a reply, students said: “We never imagined that President Xi would reply to our joint letter, but he did. It is exciting for us, just like an amazing dream!”

Abdul Sattar, a student of energy resource, said that Xi’s reply affirmed his determination on strengthening Pakistan and China's friendship.

He intends to go back to Pakistan after graduating from USTB and working for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the field of clean energy.

Ali supplemented that Xi’s reply means a lot. “He is affable and I feel like I’m having a conversation with him directly.”