ISLAMABAD (Daily Mail) To mark the 58th anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan and Madame Luo Zhaohui hosted a grand reception here at a local hotel yesterday.

The National Day of China, though actually falls on 1st of October, however the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad hosts reception in this regard a day or two earlier than the original date as it is a tradition that there are a week long holidays to mark the National Day and the holidays begin by 1st of October.

Just like always, this year's national day reception of the Chinese Embassy pulled a huge number of guests. Despite the fact that this year the national day of China fell in mid of the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting, the depth of Pak-China friendship and deep rooted bond of love between the two nations was crystal clearly visible at the reception as none of the invited guests preferred to stay home and made it a point to attend the reception. It remains a fact that in Pakistan, normally people prefer to stay home at the dinner time to open their fast and to have meal with their families during the month of Ramadan and do not attend social gathering other than Iftar parties or Iftar dinners. However the size of the crowed at the Chinese function was large enough to display the depth of love and friendship between the two exemplary neighbors.

The hot topic of the discussion amongst the guests was of coursed the Friday's decision regarding the petitions against President General Pervez Musharraf's re-election. Some Western diplomats were heard saying that the Supreme Court's decision had given a new strength to the ruling party while it must have also relaxed the President. They were showing their utmost surprise over the reaction of the lawyers to the Supreme Court decision. "I am surprised how the hell can they term the same court and same judges gave a verdict that went against the President a few weeks back. This is absurd that the lawyers are trying to dictate their decision to the Supreme Court", comment a senior western diplomat. They also kept exchanging views over the issue of upcoming Presidential election and expected date of announcement of doffing off his uniform by President General Pervez Musharraf. The statement of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto regarding provision of IAEA excess to Dr. A. Q. Khan.

On the other side, the guests were entertaining themselves with the traditional hospitality of the Chinese diplomats. Though Ambassador Luo Zhaohui is fairly new to Islamabadites, yet in this very short time, it appeared, he had earned a huge number personal friends which speaks very high of his extraordinarily pleasant personality and PR abilities. He, in a very short span of time has emerged as a real pusher and a strong factor behind dramatically rising of Pak-China ties. The Pakistani guests at the reception were heard saying that the new Chinese Ambassador had emerged as an amazing diplomat and a wonderful friend of Pakistan.