ISLAMABAD: The China Pakistan Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Tuesday organized a seminar entitled “Global Security Initiative (GSI): China’s World View.”
Chairperson Senate’s Standing Committee on Defence, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed delivered the keynote address. Notable speakers including diplomats and former and serving high-ranking officials presented their perspectives in the event. The seminar provided valuable insights into China’s vision for international security and development and how China wishes to engage with different nations and global organizations through this pivotal framework.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, during his keynote address, underlined that the Global Security Initiative is part of a composite whole i.e., China’s vision of a common destiny, based on the concept of indivisible security, international law, UN Charter, and 5 principles of peaceful co-existence, which is in contrast with the cold war, zero-sum mindset.
He said that Beijing’s worldview is rooted in the strategic culture of China and the contemporary security scenario. He emphasized that GSI reflects the strategic thought of China, which is derived from different sources and aspects of China’s national experience including the Great Wall of China, the Silk Road, PLA’s Long March, and “the century of humiliation” that the nation recovered from.
He commended Pakistan’s abiding friendship with China, citing the steadfast support of both nations for each other’s issues of core interest. He underlined that the future belongs to connectivity and regionalism, not the Cold War.
Importance of China’s BRI
In his welcome address, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the significance of China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which has been a global, successful, and innovative venture of China laying down a comprehensive framework for cooperation and prosperity.
He said that President Xi Jinping has since successively proposed three other major international initiatives, namely the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood underlined how these initiatives not only indicate the depth of Xi’s thinking and vision as part of his philosophy of building a “Community with a Shared Future for Mankind” but also illustrate Beijing’s readiness to engage globally in three pivotal domains for humanity, that is, security, development, and civilization.
Earlier, Director CPSC Dr. Talat Shabbir, in his introductory remarks said that the GSI promotes multilateral and inclusive cooperation to effectively address challenges. He said that the Global Security Initiative offers a beacon of hope in today’s world landscape, providing a comprehensive framework to tackle complex security challenges.
Former Ambassador of Pakistan to the People’s Republic of China Masood Khalid in his remarks highlighted the importance of GSI and noted that all the principles outlined in GSI are in full consonance with the United Nations Charter and reflect the aspirations of nations, and global and regional organizations.
