Pak-China think-tanks unite to counter misperceptions, deepen strategic cooperation

ISLAMABAD: The leading think-tanks of Pakistan and China have agreed that both countries must work together to counter any misperceptions orchestrated by motivated parties.

They have resolved to deepen strategic communication and expand opportunities for collaboration at all levels including governmental, academic and societal echelon. The agreement arrived at a wide-ranging roundtable on evolving global order, regional developments, centrality of China in Pakistan’s foreign policy, and ways to strengthen CPEC and Pakistan-China ‘All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.’

It was held here Wednesday under the auspices of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). The Chinese delegation comprising senior officials from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) and accomplished scholars from China’s leading Universities. The participants from Pakistan side included eminent practitioners and academics.

It also highlighted the importance of forging robust people-to-people ties through enhanced engagement with youth, media, and academia, and the optimal utilisation of social media platforms.

The Chinese delegation was led by Lei Xin, Deputy Director General of the Information Center, IDCPC. He was accompanied by Ding Hui, Zhu Caiyun, Zhou Chenyu, Prof. Zhang Jiadong, Huang Yunsong, Zhang Jiegen, and MA Zheng. The scholars and senior officials are from Fudan University, Sichuan University, and Sun Yat-sen University.

Ambassadors Zamir Akram, Masood Khalid, Naghmana Hashmi, Babar Amin, retired Group Captain SM Hali, Khalid Banuri, Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, Dr. Azhar Ahmad were distinguished hosts.

In his welcome remarks former Foreign Secretary and DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, emphasized that the Pakistan-China relationship is a unique model in inter-state relations, founded on the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, and unwavering support for each other’s issues of core interest. He reaffirmed that the CPEC remains a central pillar of this partnership, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s economic development and regional connectivity.

Lei Xin shared valuable insights on the role of the IDCPC’s Information Center in supporting the CPC’s external engagements. He introduced the center’s innovative “one body, two wings” framework—focused on data-driven research, international think tank collaborations, and global media analysis. He reiterated China’s commitment to enhancing exchanges across political, academic, and media sectors and emphasized the importance of mutual learning and dialogue to strengthen understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

During the in-depth discussion, participants exchanged views and perspectives on a wide range of topics, including regional stability, economic resilience, emerging technologies, people-to-people exchanges, and educational cooperation. The discussions also reflected a strong mutual desire to ensure that the next phase of Pakistan-China cooperation remains dynamic, inclusive, and future-oriented.