Pakistan China friendship is stronger than Himalayas and deeper than Pacific Ocean, its fragrance spreads all over the world; it is among people to people, in the hearts, minds, and sentiments of the people of both the countries. It is time tested, all weathered, long lasted, historical, unique and visionary. Pakistanis considers China as their brother, supporter, trustworthy, reliable and credible friend. Pakistan China friendship is so deep rooted that it is narrated in stories told by mothers to their children, it is told to students in schools, colleges and universities, it is found in poetry and music, it is found in scholars’ articles and research.
One symbol of Pakistan and China friendship is Urdu language which is gaining popularity in China. Urdu despite a young one as compared to English, French, Arabic and other languages, is very rich in its literary treasure produced and is one of the most important languages of the world. Urdu is an international language and is spoken as first language by 70 million people and as second language by more than 200 million people, predominantly in Pakistan and India. It is the official and national language of Pakistan also officially recognized or scheduled in the constitution of India. Significant speech communities exist in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Saudi Arabia as well. Also Urdu is spoken and understood in parts of Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Botswana, Fiji, Germany, Mauritius, Nepal, Norway, Sweden, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, Thailand etc. According to research done in 2021 estimates Urdu is the 21st most spoken first language in the world. Ethnologies 2018 estimates Urdu is the 10th most widely spoken language in the world with 270 million total speakers, including those who speak it as second language. Besides Pakistani and Indian universities Urdu is also taught in various international universities including University of Oxford, University of Washington, University of Chicago, University of Virginia, Venice University, Italy, Manchester Metropolitan University, seven universities of Egypt and many others.
A great work was done by my friend renowned scholar, author and former civil servant Syed Hassan Javed who is former civil servant and performed his duties in different diplomatic assignments in Pakistani embassies in Harare, Dushanbe and Brussels. He was also Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Mauritius from 2003 to 2007. He spent nearly a decade in the people’s Republic of China in two diplomatic assignments, first time as a third and second secretary from 1980 to 1987 and second time as the Deputy Head of Mission from 2001 to 2003 in the Embassy. He is author of books, “Chinese Made easy of Conversational Chinese in Hundred lessons. His second book is, “Chinese Soft Power Code on the Evolution of the centuries old Chinese wisdom”. Smart Chinese English Urdu Dictionary is his third book in which he presented simple Chinese single character and dual word characters along with phrases, idioms and ancient wisdom, for the benefit of students of Chinese language and culture.
Beijing University, Shiyan International University, Xian International Studies University and Guangdong University Foreign Studies have also opened Urdu Departments and have number of students studying Urdu. To understand China and Chinese Confucius Institute was established in Islamabad and in 2016 Beijing University Urdu Chair was established with the help of Pakistan. Prof. Leoshi Shiving performed his duty there for a long period. Prof King Cholan served as President Urdu Department there. In 1960 Beijing Broadcasting Institute was also engaged in providing services to teach Urdu. Later it was given the status of Communication University of China.
Beijing Foreign University Urdu Department gives admission to twenty students in each session and they complete their course in four years. Some Students also do Masters and Ph.D. Numbers of thesis has been written on Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Munshi Prem Chand and others. First time Allama Iqbal’s poetry was translated into Chinese in 1957. Iqbal’s Islamic philosophy creates awareness and is anti-colonialism and revolutionary. In 1977, thirty-seven poems of Allama Iqbal were translated into Chinese language. Israr e Khudi (A poem of Allama Iqbal) was translated into Chinese by Prof. Liu Shuxiong in 1999. Beijing’s Chinese Academy of Social Sciences provided valuable information to Chinese readers about Iqbal and his work. Professor Liu Shuxiong written number of books on Iqbal including “Philosophy of Iqbal and “Iqbal a Muslim Poet and Philosopher”, are worth mentioning. How much is Iqbal popular in China can be guessed in one example when Chinese President His Highness Xi Jinping while quoting Chinese development and progress recited a verse from Allam Iqbal’s poem;
Giran Khawab Cheeni Sanbhalney Lagey
Hamal se Chashmey obalney Lagey
There is Pakistan Studies Centre at Beijing University and its head is Prof Tang Mung Shing. He Translated Shaukat Siddiqui’s novel. “Khuda ki Basti” into Chinese language and also translated some selected poems of Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi. Professor Shan Shi Shwan is famous by his Urdu name “Iftekhar Alam “. He deeply studied Ghalib, Zauq, Iqbal and Faiz and introduce their poetry to Chinese intellectuals and students. A magazine, Cheen Batasweer” (China Pictorial) was an Urdu magazine published from China from 1967 to 1999. Radio China now publishes Urdu Magazine” Nawai Dosti” .
Urdu as the national and official languages of Pakistan is very important to strengthen bilateral ties specially keeping in view progress in China Pakistan Economic Corridor where number of Chinese working in Pakistan at various projects relating to CPEC. Xinjiang Province is important part of CPEC therefore Urdu department in universities of this province will pave the way to bring both the countries closer and would be vital to counter negative propaganda against China.
There are eight Universities in China to promote Urdu and twelve Pakistan-Studies center working to promote mutual understanding between two countries. In China increasing number of students are interested to learn Urdu. Prof Zhou Yuan is the head of Urdu department at the School of Asian Studies in Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and according to him enrolment of a new batch of the Chinese Students in the Urdu Department of BFSU in the current academic year that began in September reflects the fact that the Urdu language is becoming popular in China. Besides teaching Urdu language to the students, the Urdu Department also organizes competitions in Urdu calligraphy, speech and cultural activities to improve skills as well as make the students more aware about Pakistan, its culture and people. These students were invited by Pakistan Embassy in Beijing to attend the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal. They recited poetry of Allama Iqbal and the new batch participated in calligraphy competition after only two months of their studying Urdu.
Urdu in China is playing important role in creating understanding and bring both the countries closer and there is further need to promote this beautiful language in China as well as to increase centers to teach Chinese language to Pakistani youth.