(The NEWS)-Chinese Embassy and the Confucius Institute of national University of Modern Languages (NUML) held a function here Saturday at the varsity to celebrate the Chinese Youth Day.

Youth Day in China, celebrated on May 4, was established in 1949 by the Chinese Government to commemorate the beginning of the May Fourth Movement in 1919.

The aim to celebrate the varsity function was to discuss youth's effect on society, better understand the Pak-China relationship and promote friendship among the Pak-Chinese youth.

Chinese Ambassador Mr. Luo Zhaohui, the chief guest on the occasion, said that Pak-China friendship is time tested. "In 60 years, our ties have grown stronger with time. We look forward to a long-lasting friendship in future as well," he said.

Rector NUML Prof. Dr. Aziz Ahmed Khan said that it is a privilege for NUML to house the first Confucius Institute in the Islamic world. Hanban's rating of Confucius Institute, Islamabad as one of the top 10 out of a total of over 212 institutes across the globe is an evidence of the institution's success. It is also a privilege for NUML to celebrate the Chinese Youth Day at the university. "The role of youth needs not be specified, as they are our future and let's hope that the youth of China and Pakistan will join hands to build these super nations," he said.

Federal Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs Ishfaq Mehmood said that our relationship with China is of deep-rooted brotherhood. "There is brotherhood in our genes and we can not be separated," he said adding that when he visited China, he was amazed to see how the All-China Youth Federation conducted their festivals. "It's not only the collaboration of China in Karakoram or Gwadar, but we have one world and one dream. We were constantly appreciated by Chinese officials after April 16 when the Olympic Torch Relay ceremony was held in Islamabad," he said adding, "In order to give youth a platform to interact with each other, the ministry has thought of setting up an IT portal that will be called Pakistan China Youth Portal. It will be a permanent channel for youth where they can chat and use it for email, etc" he said.

Earlier, a welcome note was presented by Dr. Fu, VP Confucius Institute. Prof. Zhou Rong, Senior Journalist Chinese Guangming Daily, spoke about the relationship between Pakistan and China. Pakistani student Humaila, who received a scholarship by the Chinese Government, spoke about her experience learning the Chinese language while Chinese young diplomat Mr. Li Jian also spoke on the occasion.

Chinese Counselor of Chinese Embassy Mr. Yao Jing thanked NUML for organizing the event and said that we are not divided by languages but are joined by our friendship. "We have different cultural and religious backgrounds but our relationship still remains intimate. On April 16, the Olympic Torch Relay successfully completed its journey in Islamabad and for this reason, I salute the Pakistani people for supporting us in a big way," he said.

Later, the Chinese Ambassador, Ministry of Youth Affairs Secretary and NUML Rector planted the China-Pakistan Youth Friendship Tree in the garden of the university.