Pakistan Proud to Celebrate National Day in Beijing

Pakistan celebrated its National Day on Tuesday 23 March 2004. The Pakistan Embassy in Beijing organized several events to mark the occasion.

A flag-raising ceremony was staged in the chancery and was attended by a large number of Pakistanis residing in Beijing. Students of the Pakistan Embassy College sang the National Anthem as Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan slowly raised the flag.It was a dignified, yet colourful ceremony.

The Embassy also held an Investiture ceremony in the afternoon to confer the award of 'Sitara-e- Khidmat' on Mrs. Sun Changsheng, wife of the late Sun Changshen, President and Chief Executive Officer of MRDL which is operating the Saindak Copper-Gold Project in Balochistan province. 

The ambassador paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of Mr. Sun, saying his efforts had resulted in the completion of the project. He noted that Mr. Sun had been making great efforts to expand the project up until his sad demise last year. He described this project as a shining example of co-operation between the two countries.

The ambassador also hosted a large reception in the evening at the Great Wall Sheraton for Chinese dignitaries and foreign diplomats. It was a well attended reception with over 1,200 people from all walks of life. Chinese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Chang Yesui, was the guest of honour.

The Embassy also arranged a photographic exhibition to coincide with the evening reception at the Sheraton Hotel. Over 70 photographs depicting various aspects of Pakistan's rich history and cultural heritage were on display. Guests at the reception took a keen interest in these photographs that gave them an insight the rich history of Pakistan and also a glimpse of contemporary culture and trends.

Pakistan Fact File

Despite being a relatively new nation, Pakistan has a rich history dating back over 5,000 years.

The Indus River flowing through the middle of Pakistan is the longest river in South Asia and the cradle of one of the four ancient civilizations of the world. Pakistan has a varied landscape, with some of the highest mountains in the world in regions adjoining China. High plateaux in the centre and northwest of the country and the large plains of the Punjab and Sindh are irrigated by the Indus Basin River System.

The land area of Pakistan is 803,943 sq. km, of which 22 per cent is under cultivation. It has a variable climate ranging from sub-zero temperatures in the mountain regions to hot and humid regions in the south.

Pakistan grows a large variety of fruits and vegetables which have started to find markets aboard. The country has a population of 145 million. It is located at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia and South West Asia. This is a strategic location offering a potential for Pakistan to become the hub for economic activity for a market of 250 million people.