China grants visa to over 150,000 Pakistanis annually

LAHORE:Deputy Counsel General of China Peng Zhengwu has said China is extending full support to Pakistan and power plants based on technology used in Beijing have been installed here for resolving energy crisis.

He was addressing a seminar organised by Punjab University’s Pakistan Study Centre here on Monday. Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Vice President, Sichuan University China Yan Shijing, Director Pakistan Study Centre, Sichuan University China Prof Dr Song Zhihui, Director Pakistan Study Centre Fudan University China Prof Du Youkang, Chinese students and MPhil/PhD scholars were present.

Peng Zhengwu said Sahiwal coal-fired power plant was clean and efficient energy project. He said Free Trade Agreement would come into effect from Jan 1, 2020 which would reduce the tariff and Pakistan would have an opportunity to strengthen its economy.

He said China was strategic partner of Pakistan and China issued visa to around 150,000 Pakistanis every year. He said Orange Line would be available for commercial use from next month and people would get better transportation facilities. He said another Confucius Institute would be opened in Sargodha.

Yan Shijing said Pakistani students were studying in medical, economics, civil engineering, computer science and other academic disciplines being offered at Sichuan University, which was the second largest university in China. He said around 20 books about Pakistan had been published in the university. He said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would improve quality of life of Pakistanis.

Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar said people to people contact would help understand culture of each other. He stressed the need to jointly organise seminar and conferences and launch joint research projects on various topics of mutual interest.

MoU: Punjab University (PU) and Sichuan University, China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop partnership in various fields to promote academic exchange and scientific research cooperation.

The MoU signing ceremony was held at the vice chancellor’s office in which PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad, Sichuan University’s Vice President Yan Shijing, Pro VC Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities Prof Dr Iqbal Chawla and others were present.

Both the universities agreed to exchange teachers and researchers in teaching and scientific research. The universities would provide all possible opportunities available on their respective campuses for students of both institutions to enroll in undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes. Both would organise seminars and conferences for students and faculty. PU and Sichuan University also agreed to train administrative staff regarding international offices.