Chinese officials say educational, cultural activities planned

CPEC spin-offs

PESHAWAR: Chinese authorities have planned several education and cultural projects in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Culture Corridor that is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, managing director of Cultural Communication Centre of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Ms Echo Lee said that they were trying to identify similarities in the cultures of Pakistan and China.

She said that the projects included cultural, educational and media exchange activities. “We are neighbours and need to understand each other,” remarked Echo Lee. She said that in cultural activities, they would arrange exhibitions in China and Pakistan.

About education sector, she said that under the Cultural Communication Centre 100 Pakistani students would be selected for higher and vocational studies in China on scholarships.

“Pakistani students aged 18-25 years would be selected for three years study on Chinese scholarships in Mechatronics, Automobile Inspection and Maintenance Technology, Electric Automation Technique, Application Electric Technology, Photovoltaic Application Technology and Mould Design Manufacturing,” Echo Lee added.

She said they would also work on media exchange programmes and engage journalists from both countries to report cultural activities and better understand each other.Ms Scarlet Xiang, chief public officer of the Cultural Communication Centre said the centre was set up by the St Xianglin Management and Consulting Company Limited and Sozhou Vocational University. She added that Cultural Communication Centre is committed to become the first platform between China and Pakistan in the fields of culture and education.

She said the Chinese government would bear all expenses of the 100 brilliant Pakistani students selected for education in China.

Giving details of the Cultural Communication Centre plan for 2017, Scarlet Xiang said that Chinese authorities planned scholarships for 100 Pakistani students, developing intangible Pakistan cultural heritage, arranging exhibitions for Sino-Pak young artists, promoting Pakistan’s industry and technology and executing some other plans.