60th anniversary an occasion for world celebration

By Qi Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-17 08:57

Beijing: The 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China should be an occasion for celebration not only in China, but also in East Asia and the rest of the world, Masood Khan, the Pakistani Ambassador to China said here Tuesday.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with chinadaily.com.cn, Ambassador Masood Khan said China's growth has benefited both the developing and the developed countries.

"The volume of wealth has increased (since the 1980s) and the standard of living has soared. There is dramatic change and this is unprecedented in the history of the world," he said.

As a result, he continued, "China...has emerged as a pillar of strength for the international community. It is a pillar of stability for the region. Therefore, I think collectively, the international community should celebrate the founding of the People's Republic of China."

Although appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to China only in September 2008, Mr Masood Khan, well versed in the Chinese language, has deep roots in China. He studied and completed a one and half year course in Chinese at the Beijing Language Institute (now the Beijing Language University) in China during the early 1980s, before he was posted as the Third Secretary in the Pakistan Embassy in China from 1984 to 86.