Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said on Thursday that China considers Pakistan as one of the closest friend having common interests.

He said that during this visit to University of Peshawar (UoP) along with a four-member Chinese delegation. The Chinese ambassador handed over a partnership cheque to University of Peshawar vice chancellor Dr. Muhammad Rasool Jan for the construction of China Study and Research Centre which would become functional by September this year. The centre will focus on research, culture, language and lifestyle of the Chinese.

He said Pakistan and China were celebrating 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations which was a true testimony to Pak-China friendship. China gave status of closest friend to Pakistan owing to their unprecedented friendship and cordial relations.

He said if China had only one friend in the world that would be Pakistan, adding his government was cooperating with the government of Pakistan in the promotion of all the sectors especially education. The establishment of Chinese Study Centre in UoP was a step forward towards this end.

About the CPEC, the Chinese ambassador said that it would play the role of a game changer in the region, as Karakuram Highway and Gawadar Seaport were being upgraded in the first phase.

Vice Chancellor Rasool Jan appreciated the cooperation of Chinese government and said friendship between the two countries was time tested which survived crucial times of history. He also expressed the hope that the study centre would provide youth a chance of research and opportunities to benefit from the experience of each other.

The centre in UoP will offer professional diploma, degree and research courses in order to raise employment opportunities in the region by creating professional work force for CPEC.