ISLAMABAD (Daily Mail)-Deep rooted, ever-lasting, time-tested Pak-China relations would touch new horizons when the local cable operators would start airing Chinese television channels for local viewers. These channels would include the main English Language news channel from China, i.e. CCTV-9 and other Chinese news and entertainment channels. A resolve in this regard was made by the local cable operators of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as they were motivated and enlightened by the energetic cultural councilor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Shan Baoxiang as he hosted a dinner in their honor, with the collaboration of the Daily Mail and Pak-China Media Friendship Association, at his residence, over the weekend.

Convincing the cable operators, Mr. Shan Baoxiang underlined the depth of exemplary Pak-China relations and asserted that the media could play a pivotal role in bringing the 2 nations even closer and enhancing people-to-people contact. "You guys can be the key in letting people of Pakistan know in detail about the social-economic and cultural life of the people of China. We are the best friends and the whole world knows about it and this is time when we should help our peoples know about each other so that these ties can be strengthened further and further. I think by airing Chinese news and cultural programs through cable, your people would be doing a wonderful role in promoting ties between the two nations", expressed the cultural councilor.

He said that there was a great deal of desire amongst the Chinese people about learning Urdu language and they also had great interest in watching Pakistan movies and dramas and were keen to get familiar with socio-cultural values of Pakistan and also the latest news of Pakistan. "And I am sure that the same desire is of the people here in Pakistan. You must start showing Chinese TV channels here in Pakistan, so that the thirst of knowing each other could be quenched in this direction", said Shan Baoxiang. He further said that the media was already doing great work in promoting relations between the two nations and the Daily Mail's endeavors in this direction were a spectacular example. Paying rich tributes to the President and Editor-in-Chief of Pak-China Media Friendship Association, Mr. Makhdoom Babar, he said that such a dedication and zeal was the need of the hour to take Pak-China Friendship to new dimensions and horizons.

In this message on the occasion, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Mail, Mr. Makhdoom Babar underscored the importance of the protection and promotion of Pak-China relations. He said that a comprehensive knowledge about people and lives of people of China, would not only enhance people-to-people contact but would also result into great economic benefit to both the sides. He said that China was a wonderful economic partner of Pakistan and there was a great potential for Pakistani businessmen to invest in China and Chinese businessmen to invest in Pakistan but to explore maximum of this potential, it was highly imperative for both the sides to know about each other's social, cultural and economic values as well as the political scenarios. He said that this could be gained only through enhanced media projection. Mr. Makhdoom said that the Chinese Embassy's cultural office was doing a lot in this direction and it was time that these efforts of the cultural office should be supported by local media organizations in their respective professional capacities. He urged local cable operators to show Chinese channels to fulfill their moral and professional obligations.

The cable operators unanimously agreed to start airing Chinese TV channels and said that they would begin by starting transmission of China's English news channel CCTV-9 and would precisely start Chinese language channels as well. They ensured their full cooperation and support to the Chinese Embassy's cultural office for the promotion of Pak-China relations.