YAY! S̶a̶n̶t̶a̶ China is here!

Aray wah! Look who is here? It seems like Christmas already. And when Santa arrives, everyone should behave. We all know that Santa never gives presents to naughty children. No wonder "nation's best well-wisher" Nawaz Sharif and his "sasti roti" clan have gone a bit mute since the Santa Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is here.

China and Pakistan have been on friendly terms for 59 years, almost six decades but it is strange that we only remember China when it comes to us with a boatload, or in this case, an airplane-load of money. This time round, China is coming with goodies more than last year. If China had to be a TV show, it would have Oprah's favorite things. That friend of ours is just giving and giving and giving. In return, China sadly gets nothing but JOKES.

If you see someone Chinese on the street in Pakistan, possibilities are that he would be looked upon. His appearance would be made into a joke especially there would be whispers about his short eyes. Furthermore, not even one university in Pakistan teaches Simplified Chinese as a subject (either elective or core). Furthermore, Chinese language is considered a bunch of nonsensical phonics together, again perfect for jokes. It does not halt here, it is a growing trend where Chinese girls are seen as candidates for "bedtime adventures" for young Pakistani boys.

However, this is not the case in China. Pakistanis get more respect than any other nationality there. Urdu Language is provided as a 4-year Bachelors degree program at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Debates in Urdu language also take place there as well as China Radio International has dedicated 4-hours programming on Shortwave Radio. Furthermore, China has been investing in Pakistan for decades now. The Karakoram Highway which is the highest paved international road in the world was made in cooperation with China. The Chamsa Nuclear Power Complex is also made with the help of China. Not to mentioned, China has allegations that it helped Pakistan in becoming the World's First Muslim Nuclear Power. Moreover, during the Kargil war, a friend of my father told that China sent military aid for Pakistan as threats for mainland attacks were rising. I rememeber that China books almost a chunk of displaying space when it comes to exhibitions in Pakistan. Though it promotes business for them but it also emits positive vibes for the potential Pakistan has. It was once reported in 1990s, China volunteered to deliver scientific television programming for Pakistani viewers when they saw the mediocre state of programming being aired on PTV2. Moreover, China Mobile saved the disaster that was Paktel and turned it around to make ZONG, one of the fastest growing cellular companies in Pakistan currently. In 2008, Pakistani delegation was cheered loudest among all the guests during the Parade of Athletes at the Beijing Olympics.

It is not that Pakistan has been a gold-digger too. It was the first nation in the world to accept the People's Republic of China and still promotes the idea of One China. In 2008, when the Olympic Flame landed in Islamabad, Pakistan threw a festivity fit for the upcoming occasion as well as asked the world to support China and the Games. It showed that Pakistan was truly happy for Beijing to become a host. During the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, Pakistan almost emptied its tent storage to support China.

Indeed, China and Pakistan have a relationship which is beyond governments but the time is here to make more closer than ever. The first thing we could do is that we treat Chinese living in Pakistan much friendly. We should see them as our equals. We should learn their language, rather making a mockery out of it. Furthermore, a supply of good quality of Chinese music and movies should be introduced to the public through its translation in English. When we could import Hollywood flicks and get them translated in Urdu, why not get something 'Made in China' for our cinemas too? After all, we buy everything 'China' from fruit juices to medical equipment. Furthermore, Simplified Chinese should be introduced into our education curriculum, especially, it should be made available for Business Studies students, either as elective or core courses. Though, these steps are very small but it is the little things in our lives that matter. It is high-time to adopt more Chinese things than their food.