Pakistan's First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari speaks during an event celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Oct. 7, 2025. Pakistani children recovering from congenital heart defects and their parents were invited to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.(Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani children recovering from congenital heart defects and their parents were invited to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. Pakistan's First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari attended the event.

In January, the medical experts' team led by Professor Pan Xiangbin of China's Fuwai Hospital performed free surgeries for eight children with congenital heart disease in Rawalpindi city of Punjab province. At present, all the children are recovering well after surgery.

"I can run, jump, and play games with my friends now. I want to say thank you to Chinese doctors!" said Afrah Amir, an 8-year-old Pakistani girl with a smile on her face.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong stated in his speech on Tuesday that the aid to Pakistan for the treatment of congenital heart disease is not only a vivid portrayal of the concept of "putting people and life first," but also a profound interpretation of the mutual assistance and community with a shared future between China and Pakistan.

Zardari expressed gratitude for the superb medical skills and selfless dedication of the Chinese medical team in her speech, and expressed the hope that Pakistan and China will continue to work together to expand exchanges in fields including healthcare, women's wellbeing, education, and culture.

In his video speech, Pan said that as the attending physician, he was very pleased to see that the children he cured can become healthier with brighter smiles. In the future, the Chinese medical team will provide training for more Pakistani doctors, promote advanced medical technologies, and produce richer medical cooperation fruits between the two countries, he said.

At the event, the children and their parents noted that the treatment project carried out by Chinese medical experts has brought hope to their families and is a concrete manifestation of the people-to-people connection between Pakistan and China. They hope that Chinese medical technology can benefit more patients with congenital heart disease and strengthen the ironclad friendship between Pakistan and China. ■

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong speaks during an event celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Oct. 7, 2025. Pakistani children recovering from congenital heart defects and their parents were invited to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.(Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

Afrah Amir speaks during an event celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Oct. 7, 2025. Pakistani children recovering from congenital heart defects and their parents were invited to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.(Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

A child is seen with her mother during an event celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Oct. 7, 2025. Pakistani children recovering from congenital heart defects and their parents were invited to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.(Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

A child is pictured during an event celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Oct. 7, 2025. Pakistani children recovering from congenital heart defects and their parents were invited to the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.(Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)