Pakistani children sing songs "Happy New Year" and "Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship" in two languages at a Chinese Lunar New Year gala in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, Jan. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

As the mercury falls to single digits in Pakistan's federal capital, Islamabad, making the weather chilly and foggy on Sunday, a hotel hall decorated with traditional Chinese red lanterns was a source of warmth and coziness for people gathered to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Buzzing with slogans of "Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship," the hall was filled with people from both Pakistan and China, including teachers, students, and volunteers.

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. "The flying swallows symbolize the return of spring to the earth. I hope to bring New Year blessings to Pakistani friends through this dance," she said.

Donning a glittery golden gown, Sidra Sajjad, an 8-year-old student and dance performer, was all smiles when she was inquired about her dress and performance during the event.

"Today I am wearing my best golden gown to perform a song that highlights the strong and sweet friendship between Pakistan and China ... My Chinese friends have also performed, and the traditional dresses they were wearing truly enticed me," Sajjad told Xinhua.

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.

"Both cultures of Pakistan and China are humane and beautiful ... The gala can prove that we are the one and forever friends. We are thankful to the Chinese people for being a ray of hope for these underprivileged children in Pakistan," she said.

Shifa Butt, who instructs Pakistani children to perform a dance called "Mother," said that the gratitude expressed by this dance is similar to the Chinese filial piety culture and that both countries' cultures promote positive values.

The dance performed by Pakistani children also moved a Chinese boy, Ma Yusheng, who performed a so-called "Kemusan" dance, the latest internet hit in China, translated as "Subject Three" dance, pushing the gala to a new high.

"I have been rehearsing hard for several days, just hoping to bring you joy today, and my performance is not bad!" he said.

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

"Both countries' children used music and art to demonstrate the concepts of cultural mutual learning, peace and inclusiveness, which set a good example for the world today ... We are very happy to be here at this event and we all know that culture, music, and arts have no boundaries and borders," she said.

In her school, Salman said many Pakistani students are learning Chinese language, culture and Chinese martial arts, adding that the way children are accepting each other's cultures is heartening as it fosters global understanding and promotes peaceful relations among nations.

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.

"Chinese cultural thought has always advocated cultural equality and inclusiveness. We hope that children from both countries can appreciate each other's culture through mutual exchanges and artistic performances," he said.