A five-member Chinese delegation of Tianjin People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (TPAFFC) visited the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) National Headquarters here on Tuesday.
Vice President TPAFFC Chen Weiming led the delegation.
A meeting was arranged for the delegation on the occasion, chaired by the PRCS Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed.
Joint Director Operations Abaidullah Khan briefed the delegates about the humanitarian projects and major emergency operations carried out by the organization with the support of Red Cross Society of China on different occasions. Areas for future cooperation with the PRCS including maintenance/renovation of a 50-bed hospital in Gilgit, establishment of a vocational training and resource center in Islamabad, procurement of a blood donation bus and equipment for Regional Blood Donor Center, and technical and financial support for establishment of PRCS Business Tower and Rehabilitation Center at the National Headquarters also came under discussion.
PRCS Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed highly appreciated the support of Red Cross Society of China during major disasters such as earthquakes in 2005 and 2015, floods in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014, establishment of state-of-the-art Fraternity Emergency Care Center in Gwadar and another such facility in Quetta. He said the PRCS is keen to set up a physical rehabilitation center in Islamabad to provide artificial limbs to the handicapped people. He said the PRCS looks forward to Chinese technical and financial support for establishment of the center to help those in need.
Chen Weiming said the purpose of his visit was to establish a strong connection with China and to explore areas for collaboration and ventures on Belt and Road Initiative. He said the PRCS was a vibrant, dynamic national society having a very strong humanitarian capability. He said the Red Cross Society of China was working extensively to provide relief to the people with disabilities and serious illness and requested the PRCS to share comprehensive proposals and plans for possible collaboration and cooperation.
Later, PRCS secretary general and TPAFFC president exchanged mementos.
It is pertinent to mention here that the delegation is visiting Pakistan primarily to discuss business and investment cooperation with the Pakistani side.
Published in Daily Times, February 20th 2019.
