Hope for enhanced Sino-Pak cultural, literary ties

A delegation of prominent Pakistani writers held here meeting with the members of Chinese Writers' Association (CWA) and expressed the hope that the two brotherly countries would further strengthen co-operative partnership, taking benefits of their past historical linkages and the contemporary advancement in social, cultural and literary fields.
It was agreed that the two countries should encourage exchange of literature and other literary work to know more about each other in their efforts to pass on the existing spirit of goodwill to the new generation.
Pakistan's delegation, led by Cabinet Secretary Ejaz Rahim, who is the author of 12 volumes of poetry in English, included Punjabi writer Shafqat Tanveer Mirza, Sindhi writer Nurul Huda Shah, Balochi writer Dr Niamatullah Gichki and known Urdu poet Kishwar Naheed.
The Chinese side was represented at the meeting by a top official of the CWA Li Jinqi, who assured his country's support, developing harmony and understanding among the people of the two countries.
The two sides considered a proposal translating one book of their respective country in the national and regional languages on annul basis. The book should be selected on the recommendations of the relevant Literary Insinuation, it was agreed.
Ejaz Rahim, talking to newsmen, said their weeklong visit, concluded on Monday, was quite useful to have a better idea of new developments in China. They, he said would work out proposals for expanding their on-going co-operation in literary field to serve the common aspirations of their people.
He hoped that frequent contacts between writers and intellectuals would help enhance understanding and promote co-operation in diverse fields.
The delegation also visited Shanghai and Hangzhou and held talks with the members of the local Writers' Associations on the matters of common interest.
The visit was a part of regular contacts between the two countries. So far, 11 delegations of writers from China have visited Pakistan, while Pakistan has sent 10 similar delegations to China.