Education, people-to-people exchanges in focus as China-Pakistan ties mark 75 years

Islamabad (People's Daily) — Education and people-to-people exchanges were highlighted as important areas for further China-Pakistan cooperation at a seminar held in Islamabad to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

At the seminar, Syedaal Khan Nasar, deputy chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, noted that Pakistan-China relations have remained steadfast despite changes in the international and regional environment. He pointed to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port as important outcomes of bilateral cooperation, adding that cooperation has expanded into areas including agriculture, health, education and sports.

Shi Yuanqiang, chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, delivers remarks at a seminar commemorating the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo: People's Daily)

Nasar said China has stood with Pakistan through difficult times and expressed confidence in further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. He said Pakistan can draw lessons from China's development experience, including its progress in education, and called on young people to contribute to the country's development.

Shi Yuanqiang, chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, said China is ready to expand exchanges involving educational institutions, think tanks, media and other sectors, and make greater use of scholarships, grants and training programs to support Pakistani students pursuing advanced studies in China.

Shi also said the two countries would continue to advance CPEC 2.0, deepen cooperation in industry, agriculture and mining, and explore opportunities in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Faisal Mushtaq, chairman and CEO of The Roots Millennium Education Group, highlighted the role of education and Chinese-language learning in strengthening ties between younger generations.

"For me, CPEC is not just the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," Mushtaq said. "For me, CPEC is the China-Pakistan Education Corridor."

Schoolchildren present a cultural performance during the seminar in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo: People's Daily)

He called for greater investment in human capital, research, incubation and the knowledge economy. He also stressed the importance of extending bilateral relations beyond government-to-government engagement through education, language, culture, entrepreneurship and greater interaction between the peoples of the two countries.

Professor Zafar Iqbal Jaspal, vice chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University, said the next phase of CPEC should place greater emphasis on people-to-people and industrial cooperation. He said Pakistani and Chinese universities can deepen collaboration in emerging technologies and sustainable development, highlighting the potential for developing a China-Pakistan "knowledge corridor" through stronger educational and research links.

Shi Yuanqiang (right), chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, interacts with schoolchildren following their cultural performances during the seminar in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo: People's Daily)

The event also featured cultural performances by schoolchildren and a cake-cutting ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations.