KARACHI: The year 2024 is the Chinese year of the dragon and the dragon represents good fortune, prosperity, opportunity, abundance, wisdom and energy, suggesting that it will be a great year for China and Pakistan friendship and cooperation.

This was said by Yang Yundong, the Consul General of the People`s Republic of China in Karachi. He was speaking at a celebration of the new year at the Nami Zumi restaurant at the Karachi Marriott Hotel here on Wednesday.

The restaurant celebrated the new year in style by setting up a large Chinese buffet of some 16 main course dishes along with soups, hotpot, salads,fruits and desserts on the side.

According to the hotel`s executive chef Ali Hussain, many ingredients for the dishes were imported from China. `The chilies, dried mushroom, fungus, etc., are all brought in from China on a regular basis,` he said, adding that he specially recommended their guests to try their steamed fish on the auspicious occasion of their new year.

He also said that although the Chinese are not famous for their desserts, all their desserts for the celebration were Asian-inspired. `We have Banana Spring Roll, Coconut Pudding and Apple Wontons,` he said.

There was a time when Chinese food for Pakistanis only meant enjoying a few soups and dishes such as Chicken Corn and Hot and Sour Soup, Egg-fried Rice, Chowmein, Sweet and Sour Chicken or Prawns, Chilli Chicken, Chop Suey and Egg Rolls.

But here the menu included Dumplings, Prawn Tempura, Hong Kong Spring Rolls, Chicken Schezwan, Mongolian Beef, Black Pepper Beef, Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings, Spicy Stir Fry Crab, Chicken Kung Pao, etc.

Yasir Bin Yamin, the hotel`s Pan Asian cuisine chef, said that the Chinese food industry has grown a lot since the 1960s when just a few Chinese dishes tempted the Pakistani taste buds. `There is innovation and exposure in our food industry. Here in Pakistan, Schezwan cuisine is a hot favourite as it is intense and spicy, which complements our local palate, he pointed out.

`For those who like mild tastingfood, there is the Mandarin style of cooking, with less chilies and more flavour produced from garlic andspring onions,` he said. `There is also Cantonese food focusing on fresh vegetables, meat with sweet sauces withnot many spices,` he said, adding that all types of foods and Chinese cooking styles are available in Pakistannow and enjoyed by all.

`We are loving their food and they are liking our food,` he smiled.