国内英语新闻:Pakistani acting president visits Pakistan-China Friendship Center

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Acting President and Senate Chairman Farooq Hamid Naek and National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza visited the newly-launched Pakistan-China Friendship Center in Islamabad on Thursday.

Naek and Mirza, with the company of Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian, visited the friendship hall, conference rooms and other facilities in the center.

They also toured a photography exhibition highlighting the history of the bilateral ties and an exhibition of masterpieces of the Chinese brush painting.

In a message left on a guestbook, Naek viewed the friendship center as a symbol of the close friendly brotherly ties between the two countries. He said the building and the layout are excellent and praiseworthy.

Pakistan's Senate Chairman Farooq Hamid Naek (R), accompanied by Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Liu Jian (L), visits the Pakistan-China Friendship Center in Islamabad Dec. 23, 2010. The center was inaugurated on Dec. 18 by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani.

After her visit to the culture complex, Mirza said that all the facilities are much-needed, and it is an excellent gift from China for the people of Pakistan.

Referring the year 2011 as Pakistan China Friendship Year, she hoped that cultural and social activities held in the center will further strengthen the existing strong ties and the brotherhood.

The Pakistan-China Friendship Center was jointly inaugurated by visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on Dec. 18.

Liu Jian told Xinhua that the friendship center is not only a symbol of the friendship between China and Pakistan, it will also, with its accomplishment and handover, provide an important platform for the exchange of culture and economic trade activities between the two countries.

The Chinese ambassador also hoped the center could be well utilized especially in terms of the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Built in the forest garden area of Islamabad, the China-aided center is a multi-functional building with facilities for conferences, lectures, performances, exhibitions, cultural and trade activities. The foundation of the center was laid by Wen during his first visit to Pakistan in April 2005.