PAL, CWA sign MoU to strengthen literary ties between Pakistani, Chinese writers, poets
Zubair Qureshi
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, an online meeting was held to explore areas of cooperation among the literary persons of both the countries.
The meeting organized by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) was attended by Chairman of the PAL Dr Yousuf Khushk (host), writers and poets Munir Ahmad Badini, Mustansar Hussain Tarar, Jami Chandio, Maqsood Jafery, Abasin Yousafzai and representatives of Pakistan embassy Ahmad Farooq.
From the Chinese side, President of China Writers Association (CWA) Tie Ning, Chinese diplomat Zhang Heqing, Zhou Xuanpu, Yuan Kang, Wu Xin and Huo Janming, Zhou Yuan participated in the webinar.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed on the occasion to exchange visits by literary persons and explore cooperation.
Dr Yousuf Khushk said the MoU between PAL and China Writers Association on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Pak-China friendship is a memorable event. It is very first time in the history of PAL and CWA that a MoU is signed.
PAL chief said it would bring the two countries closer in the fields of literature and culture and the exchange of delegations between the two countries would improve relations as well.
He said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its literary and cultural relations with China and it believes in making relations with China stronger in the future.
Speaking on the occasion, the president of CWA said friendship between Pakistan and China was based on strong foundations such as mutual respect and sincerity which is an example to the whole world.
He said that scientific, literary and cultural ties would bring the two countries closer to each other at the governmental and public level and they would get to know each other better.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the two countries would arrange tours of writers on an exchange basis.
The two leaders described the signing of the MoU as historic and memorable, calling it a milestone for Pak-China friendship.
The representatives of the Pakistan Embassy, Dr Ahmed Farooq, and the Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Zhang Heqing, welcomed the act of signing of the MoU.
At the end of the meeting, an introductory ceremony was held for the Urdu translation of a collection of renowned Chinese poet Qu Yuan.
The translator Dr Abid Sial called his experience of translating Chinese poetry memorable.
