It is difficult to encapsulate in a few pages the experience of six and a half years of stay in a country, especially with which one has a deep, historical and multidimensional relationship. Each aspect of this relationship would perhaps require a separate chapter.

I arrived in China in January 2013 from Malaysia where I had served as Pakistan's high commissioner since 2010. I had previous experience dealing with China and Chinese affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in both junior and senior capacities. I was director (China, Japan and Koreas) from 1989 to 1992 and additional foreign secretary (Asia Pacific Region) from 2007 to 2010. During these two stints, I had the opportunity to visit China several times. My first visit, a transit, was in the early 1980s as part of then Pakistani President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq's delegation visiting Japan. I was always keen to explore the mystique and grandeur of the Chinese culture. However, the first visit provided only a glimpse of the place. But I do remember a mass of people on bicycles in Mao's cap, blue and grey tunics and a sumptuous banquet of over 30 courses. All this was quite unique and had never been experienced before. This brief encounter increased my quest to further explore this great nation. Subsequently, I visited China on a number of occasions, and each visit was an eye-opener. But my real opportunity to delve deeper into China came in 2013 when I was offered Beijing. A few other attractive options were suggested, but I chose China.

PowerChina donates school supplies to local primary school students in Pakistan. [Photo courtesy of PowerChina]

A question may be asked: Why is this attraction for China? In fact, my fascination with China started during my student days when I saw amazing performances of Chinese cultural troupes, read Beijing Review, People's Daily and Chairman Mao's Little Red Book, and tried to comprehend the phenomena driving this developing nation to carve out a niche in global affairs despite the hostility of powerful states. China had become the voice for the voiceless, and this is what moved the youth in the third world including my country. This was the time when Pakistan was also seeking to pursue an independent foreign policy and forge closer ties with China. Indeed, China's support for Pakistan in the 1965 war with India helped cement a closer bond. Pakistanis now viewed China as a trusted friend.