BEIJING, May 19 (INP): Pakistani students studying in China rejoiced with the response letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that it motivated them to contribute more in promoting Sino-Pak friendship.

 Fifty two Pakistani students who study in University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), including Masters and Doctoral students, had written a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping last month. According to China Economic Net (CEN), last Sunday, Xi replied to this letter, encouraging them to communicate more with their Chinese peers.

In his letter, the President said, learning that the students have enriched their knowledge and made quite a few Chinese friends while studying in China, Xi said he felt happy for the achievements they have made. Pakistani students of USTB told CEN and the Economic Daily that they are so glad and excited to receive president Xi’s reply. Ali, an Information and Communication doctoral student of USTB, said that dating to February, they had an idea on writing letter to president Xi. The cooperation between Pakistan and China on fighting against COVID-19 has shocked them. Ali said, “strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and China is our responsibility.” Since the beginning of setting up this idea, Pakistani students of USTB have participated to write the joint letter enthusiastically. “We heard that there was an idea to write a letter to president Xi, we were so excited. Most of us immediately decided to take part in such a good thing.

My father has studied in USTB as well when he was young, I followed his steps and came to Beijing. I think the joint letter to President Xi is significative to improve the relationship between Pakistan and China. We have to do it,” Ali said. In the letter to President Xi, Pakistani students have recalled their experiences and feelings of studying in China, meanwhile expressed their gratitude to the university for providing care and help for them after the COVID-19 outbreak. Regarding whether they expect a reply, students said “We have never imagined that president Xi would reply our joint letter, but he did. It is the most exciting result for us, just likes an amazing dream!” Abdul Sattar, a student of energy resource, said that Xi’s reply firmed his determination on working for friendship between Pakistan and china. He intends to go back to Pakistan after graduating from USTB and working for CPEC projects in the field of clean energy. Ali supplemented that Xi’s reply means a lot, “He is affable and I feel like I’m having a conversation with him directly.” INP/JAVED