
Festival held at CIIT celebrates Chinese Art and Culture
A grand celebration was held at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology to celebrate the China Culture Day in an impressive manner which demonstrated the mutual friendship, love and respect that Pakistanis and Chinese people share.
China Culture Day was organized by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) in collaboration with its China Study Centre. The occasion was graced by the presence of Ambassador of China His Excellency Mr. Sun Weidong and His Excellency’s spouse Madam Bao Jiqing.

Impressive Chinese lion dance performance at China Culture Day event at COMSATS University in Islamabad. Photo by Sana Jamal
The major attraction of the day was singing of the Chinese National Anthem (in the Chinese language of course) by a very large number of CIIT students and faculty members along with by H. E. Sun Weidong, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan.
Other activities during the grand event that lasted whole day, included the performance of CIIT Pak-China Music Fusion Band (literally a fusion of Pakistani and Chinese music), traditional Chinese Fan Dance and Lion Dance; food stalls, Chinese paper cutting art stall and academic activities promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan. The students especially enjoyed the music performance and movie screenings at the festival which highlighted rich Chinese culture.
Chinese Culture Day was held in connection with Chinese New Year which is a 15-day holiday celebrated by over a billion people across the world. In accordance with the Chinese zodiac, this year is the year of the monkey. The festival is a time for families to reconnect and celebrate the past year as well as the future.

A man pouring traditional Chinese tea during China Culture Day event held at COMSATS University in Islamabad. Photo by Sana Jamal
The art exhibition was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Sun Weidong, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan along with his wife Madam Bao Jiqing. Madam Bao appreciated the efforts of COMSATS Art Gallery Curator Farrah Mahmood and her team for organising the exhibition and combining the two cultures to strengthen the friendship of Pakistan and China. Ambassador’s wife highly appreciated the miniature paintings. The exhibition includes variety of art works including paintings, miniature paintings, prints and photography.
“The grand exhibition is a tribute to China from Pakistan”, said Ms. Farrah Mahmood.
At this occasion, some exclusive paintings were also presented to Chinese Ambassador for their personal collection. The exhibition of photography of China was based on “Silk Route” which depicts rich and beautiful Chinese culture, heritage as well as modern cities and development.
Works of 17 artists from COMSATS Art Gallery were also part of the exhibition. They include Abeerah Zahid, Amna Hashmi, Ahmad Habib, Ayesha Imdad, Farrah Mahmood, Samreen Asif, Sakina Akbar, Muhammad Azhar Hafeez, Nargis Khalid, Nusratji Saleem, Nageen Hyat, Rashda Faridi, Syeda Nasreen Sultana, Saima Salahudin, Syed Zain-ul-abideen Kazmi, Syed Najam Kazmi and Zahid Ul Haq.

Chinese Ambassador, Mr.Sun Weidong and His Excellency’s spouse inaugurating the art exhibition of Pakistani and Chinese artists at COMSATS University Islamabad. Photo by COMSATS

Group photo of Chinese Ambassador, Mr.Sun Weidong and His Excellency’s spouse with teachers and students of COMSATS University Islamabad. Photo by COMSATS