BEIJING, Jun. 4 (INP): In recent years, China and Pakistan have enhanced their cultural exchanges through the exchange of cultural delegations and training of international students. Now, 10 college students from Gwadar Institute of Technology (GIT) majoring in road and bridge engineering are in their third month of study in China. "China has an extensive transportation network and is well-skilled in the construction of railways, highways, bridges, and tunnels. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to study engineering in China," said one of the students, according to Gwadar Pro. "China is an open and inclusive country, and its technology and experience can help Pakistan improve its infrastructure. 

My uncle worked in urban planning and construction in Balochistan and participated in China-Pakistan cooperation projects. I dreamed of becoming an engineer like him and hope to apply the new materials, machinery, and techniques I learned in China to the construction industry in Pakistan," added the student. The students, hailing from various areas of Makran, completed their 3-year diploma in civil technology from GIT and started their studies at Hebei Jiaotong Vocational and Technical College in Shijiazhuang city, North China, in March. Subway systems are the backbone of public transportation in Shijiazhuang, utilizing a variety of advanced bridge and tunnel construction techniques. The college will organize students to visit the construction site of Shijiazhuang Metro Line 4 and Line 5 for a field study.

The college offers courses such as "Overview of China" and Chinese language learning to assist Pakistani students in gaining a better understanding of China and adapting to life in the country.  It also organized a China-Pakistan friendship soccer match to help students gradually integrate into campus life through sports. After the match, Shakur, one of the students, posted a video on a Chinese social media platform and received over 50,000 likes. "It became more important for both countries to have a clear understanding of culture and bilateral relationships. I enjoy watching Chinese movies with my Chinese classmates. I like Stephen Chow and Jackie Chan's movies very much," said Shakur.

Shakur studied Chinese for half a year in his hometown before coming to China. "We are curious about China's history, culture, and natural scenery. From the bustling cities to the quiet countryside, there are stories waiting to be discovered in every corner of China.  Because of the language advantage, I would take my classmates to visit different places in the city by bus on weekends," said Shakur. Shakur mentioned that the growing interaction between China and Pakistan has deepened the friendship among the youth of both countries. "China has amazing academic facilities and a global standard of education and research.  After completing my studies in December, I hope to return to my country and utilize my professional knowledge to better serve my hometown and make meaningful contributions to transformative projects such as CPEC.” 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China