STORY: Pakistani, Chinese children celebrate upcoming Chinese New Year
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 21, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:25
LOCATION: Islamabad
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the gala
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU HUIJUN, Chinese performer
3. various of the gala
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MA BIN, President of the China-Pak Educational Cultural Institute
5. various of the gala
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SOBIA ADNAN, Director of Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ASMA MUNIR SALMAN, Leader of Great Maple School

STORYLINE:

A China-Pakistan youth celebration was held in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan on Sunday, to celebrate the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year.

During the event, a dazzling array of performances, including traditional dances, sitcoms, and Kung Fu, by Pakistani and Chinese children, filled the hearts of the audience with joy, peace, and harmony.

The gala was kicked off by a classical dance "Flying Swallow" performed by Chinese girl Liu Huijun.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU HUIJUN, Chinese performer
"The flying swallows symbolize the return of spring to the earth. I hope to bring New Year blessings to Pakistani friends through this dance."

Talking to Xinhua, Ma Bin, president of the China-Pak Educational Cultural Institute (CPECI), who organized the event, said the purpose of the party is to let children from both countries share the joy and peace of the Chinese New Year.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MA BIN, President of the China-Pak Educational Cultural Institute
"Let the children understand each other's culture in the process of mutual appreciation, we hope to strengthen mutual understanding for each other in this way of communication."

Sobia Adnan, director of Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home (ICOSH), a China-funded orphanage in Islamabad, where the majority of Pakistani children who joined the gala came from, said that the Chinese New Year celebrations light up the faces of orphans as they are relishing moments of joy and happiness together with their Chinese friends.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): SOBIA ADNAN, Director of Islamabad China-Pakistan Youth One Heart Step and Cure Home
"There is something very beautiful between both the cultures. So I find it the best friendship between Pakistan and China. And today's function is proof of that. So I wish that more and more people should learn Chinese and give opportunities to visit."

Speaking to Xinhua on the occasion, Asma Munir Salman, a school leader of Great Maple School in Rawalpindi, said that attending such cultural events has always been exciting and exhilarating.

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ASMA MUNIR SALMAN, Leader of Great Maple School
"We're very happy to be here at this event because I feel that these kinds of events bring people together. When the children come together, we know that they mean peace, and culture, music, art, it has no boundaries, it has no borders."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Islamabad.
(XHTV)