This combo photo shows a newly installed chandelier at the Mazar-e-Quaid in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, Dec. 17, 2016. (Photo/Xinhua)
A new chandelier representing China-Pakistan friendship on Saturday was installed at the Mazar-e-Quaid, or the Mausoleum of Founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi, Pakistan to replace the one given by the Chinese government 46 years ago.
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to his Pakistani counterpart, Mamnoon Hussain on the event and said that the grand chandelier will become an important symbol of the friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation.
He said that the China-Pakistan friendship benefits not only the fundamental interests of the two nations and peoples but also peace and development in the region and the world at large.
Xi said he values the China-Pakistan relationship and hopes to work with the Pakistani leader to cement the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership of the two countries for further development.
In 1970, the Chinese government presented a crystal chandelier as a national gift to the Pakistani government, which became an often-quoted memory of friendly exchanges between China and Pakistan.
The new chandelier is a replica of the original one by using the most advanced 3D scanning technology. Chinese technicians visited the mausoleum many times in order to ensure the two chandeliers were to be made perfectly the same.
The new chandelier is lighter and more energy-saving, but has a longer using life than the old one that will be preserved in a museum.
For his part, Mamnoon said at the ceremony that the national gift given by the Chinese government 46 years ago is a gesture that reflected the love of the people and leaders of China for the Pakistani people and the country's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
"Such gifts are a symbol of sincere love between the two nations which further increase friendship and fraternity between the two countries," said the Pakistani president, thanking the Chinese government for the gift.
He added he believes that with the passage of time, the two countries' friendship will be further cemented.
He also hailed that the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is reflective of the resolve of both nations that Pakistan-China friendship will continue to flourish and both countries will continue to work with each other for global peace irrespective of any situation."
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said on the occasion that this year marks the 65th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties and that the completion and inauguration of the grand chandelier brings commemorative activities to a new height.
He said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is building a more amicable bond between the two brotherly countries and bilateral friendly cooperation is ushering in its golden era for greater development.
