ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former Ambassador to China Masood Khalid emphasized Islamabad’s steadfast support for China’s initiatives, acknowledging the deep-rooted and mutually beneficial relationship between the two nations.
He was speaking at a seminar organized by the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) here on Friday.
Distinguished speakers from Pakistan and China highlighted the significance of the GCI in fostering global peace, cooperation, mutual respect, and dialogue among civilizations.
Ambassador Masood Khalid highlighted how initiatives taken by the Chinese government offer strategic guidance for building a global community with a shared future, embracing changes, and addressing challenges faced by humanity.
Director General ISSI, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, expressing his views said that President Xi’s three successive initiatives – namely Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) represented an alternative vision for international governance and human progress.
“Inspired by Chinese wisdom and principles of peaceful coexistence, the GCI, introduced by President Xi Jinping in March 2023, focuses on respect for diversity, mutual learning, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges,” he said.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood reiterated the significance of cultural integration and social bonding for international progress, and quoted President Xi Jinping as saying “A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full bloom bring spring to the garden.”
Xiang Yang, Director of the China Study Centre at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), discussed the collaborative efforts between China and Pakistan in cultural exchange and innovation, highlighting initiatives such as the establishment of Zhenghe College at NUST, which shows the historical and ongoing cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan, Director of the China Study Centre at COMSATS University, emphasized the need for Pakistan to align with the global narrative of peaceful development and leverage the GCI to strengthen its relationship with China.
Dr. Yasir Masood, Senior Research Fellow at China Global Television Network (CGTN), sharing his insights highlighted the significance of the GCI in fostering mutual respect and learning among civilizations, while moving away from the zero-sum tactics of the past.
Yang Nuo, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan highlighted China’s commitment to promote cultural exchanges, supporting joint efforts with Pakistan in cultural heritage conservation and fostering harmony. He stressed the importance of civilizational exchanges for global harmony and noted that the Chinese Embassy is working to build a China-Pakistan community as a model for the region and the world.
Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of the China-Pakistan Study Centre at ISSI, said the GCI is a call for a more inclusive and connected global community. The expert emphasized that the GCI promotes a global environment where modernization is a collective goal, respecting and supporting each country’s unique path.
The seminar ended with a reaffirmation of the strong and enduring ties between China and Pakistan, and the shared commitment to advancing the principles of the Global Civilization Initiative for the benefit of all humanity.
Large number of diplomats, think-tank experts, students, practitioners, and business and media representatives attended the seminar.
