ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China’s collaboration in areas involving education and cultural cooperation has seen an upward trajectory. Both countries have strong bilateral ties that have shaped the regional future by encouraging amicable dialogue and scholastic interactions.

These views were expressed by speakers during a webinar titled ‘China-Pakistan Cultural and Education Exchanges under Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)’ organised by the Centre for BRI and China of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) and the Pakistan research centre of Honder College of Art and Sciences.

Speakers talked about the strong relationship between Pakistan and China in terms of their cooperation in culture and education. They said China has played a key role in creating regional awareness to underscore the significance of cultural and educational exchanges via its ventures like BRI and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This has resulted in substantial educational, political, economic, and trade cooperation, they added.

In her opening remarks, Farhat Asif, president of IPDS said that both countries enjoy a strong all weather strategic partnership and friendship with exemplary bilateral cooperation. CPEC is the epitome of such cooperation, thriving in the length and breadth of Pakistan.

She also emphasised on the strong collaboration in education and cultural exchange between both countries, adding that there are 7,000 Pakistani students currently studying in various universities in China.

Prof Tang Jun, director of the Pakistan Research Centre at the Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences in China, highlighted the strong partnership between Pakistan and China.

He said that academic engagement is growing with each passing day, adding that both sides are collaborating towards promoting the research and development culture and human resource and are ready to make it an effective part of CPEC’s overall progress.

Dr Safdar Ali Shah, the director general of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan’s CPEC cell spoke latest statistics about education, cooperation and exchanges. Dr Xie Xiaoqing, the director of the China University of Geosciences’ China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Research Centre said that China offers great potential and opportunities for students to learn and build themselves for the future.

Additionally, Dr Ma Jianfu, dean of the Pakistan Studies Centre at North Minzu University explained his own experience of the cultural exchange and how the China-Pakistan cultural exchange will help build strong ties between the friendly countries. Dr Shahid Ahmad Hashmat, former high commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka spoke about the long-standing ties between the two states.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2022