‘China Corner’ established at ISSI: CPEC expansion assured, says Fatemi

ISLAMABAD: Beijing has assured that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will not only continue to move forward, but will also be expanded. This was reaffirmed by the Chinese leadership during their latest meetings with the visiting prime minister.

Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs), stated this on Thursday with reference to the meetings between the Prime Minister and the Chinese leadership after attending the meetings.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘China Corner’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), China Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), he explained that there is something fascinating about the Pakistan-China relationship that has puzzled scholars of international relations abroad for years. Despite significant differences between the people and philosophies of the two countries, their relationship has continued to strengthen. Pakistan was among the first to recognise China and advocate for Chinese membership in the UN, he noted. Tariq Fatemi emphasised that through CPEC, Pakistan has been fortunate to be the first symphony in the Chinese orchestra of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Recognizing the cooperation between the two countries is beneficial not only for them but for the entire region.

Pakistan’s Ambassador for China, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, and Shi Yuanqiang, the deputy head of mission at the Chinese embassy, attended the ceremony as guests of honor. This is the first ‘China Corner’ established in a think-tank in Pakistan. In his welcome address, former Foreign Secretary and chief of the ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, highlighted that ISSI has been a vital hub for research on China in Pakistan, with multiple institutional collaborations with Chinese think tanks and universities. The ISSI is also a dialogue partner for the Pakistan-China Think Tank Forum with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) as part of the Joint Working Group of CPEC on International Cooperation. He informed that the ‘China Corner’ has a collection of over 600 physical and 5000 electronic books, journals, newspapers, and monographs related to China studies, available for scholars to utilise. He stressed that since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Pakistan-China relationship has progressed into an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, becoming an indispensable factor of stability in the region and beyond. It encompasses diplomatic, political, economic, security, defense, technological, educational, cultural, and people-to-people domains.

Ambassador Khalil Hashmi stated that the Pakistan-China relationship has moved beyond traditional inter-state relations to become a comprehensive and unique partnership built on mutual trust, mutual support, and mutual respect as its foundational principles. The establishment of the ‘China Corner’ at ISSI is not only about studying China but also about building bridges and creating synergy between the two countries to collaborate effectively. It has great potential as a space where ideas can flourish and support the future of the Pakistan-China bilateral relationship. He encouraged students, scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to make full use of this platform.

Shi Yuanqiang said that Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad friends. The friendship between the two countries has endured the test of time and is as solid as a rock and as stable as Mount Tai. The importance of the bilateral relationship is recognized by the highest levels of leadership in both countries, and China is prepared to work with Pakistan to build a Pakistan-China community of shared future.

Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of CPSC, stated in his inaugural remarks that the ‘China Corner’ will provide comprehensive access to information and resources about China’s governance model, economic policies, and diplomatic strategies. This repository will be a resource for fostering knowledge, dialogue, and collaboration, demonstrating a commitment to understanding China’s development narrative and leveraging this understanding for shared progress and prosperity.