When I Fell in Love with China.

Byline: Mazhar Alam

My romance with China began with the magazine "Cheen Batasveer "an Urdu edition of China Pictorial. My mother showed me the edition of January 1970 when I was only three and half. I was so fascinated by the pictures that my mother kept bringing it every month. I still have that first copy to this day. Neither my mother nor anyone else around me had any idea how that magazine would change my life and become a turning point after two decades. After the founding of New China, China adopted a friendly policy of showing its development and policies through colorful print media.

China Pictorial was launched in 1950 and designed as a vehicle for presenting captivating photographs and informative and interesting stories. China Pictorial was the most powerful and comprehensive publication used for showcasing China after the founding of the People's Republic in 1949. The title of the magazine was inscribed by the late Chairman Mao. For around 70 years, it has been covering major domestic and international events and reflecting dramatic reforms of society in Chinese and several foreign languages.

Once it was distributed in around 100 countries and regions. When the United States and its allies were busy establishing their power by dropping bombs and attacking other countries, China engaged herself in fixing and strengthening its foundation that was shaken by the eight imperialist powers, who badly damaged, weakened and divided China. Thus, China had to start all over by putting its shattered political, administrative and social structure together.

The sincere efforts of the Chinese leaders have at last put all the shatters pieces together. After 72 years' hard work, they have not only pulled all of their people out poverty (more than 850 million people) but also brought the country to such a level that it has the capacity to help other nations and lead the world towards collective progress. China shared its experience and day to day development through such magazines in the early period and then through extending help to friendly nations. Unlike the US, China used the policy of winning hearts by helping other nations, like what China is doing in fighting against Covid19 pandemic.

For the next two decades, I kept learning about China through this magazine. The pictures and the stories of China's development and struggle were very fascinating. Thirty two years ago, I met a young Chinese university lecturer who came to Pakistan for...