ISLAMABAD: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Friday declared “Pakistani talent and Chinese technology an invincible wall” for ensuring peace, security, and stability in South Asia during the Pakistan-China Dialogue in Islamabad.
The event, organised by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) under the “Friends of Silk Road” initiative, welcomed a range of attendees including diplomats, students, parliamentarians, and scholars. A five-member delegation from the Communist Party of China’s International Department (IDCPC), led by Ambassador Hu Zhaoming, also participated.
In his keynote address, Mushahid — who chairs PCI — noted, “The global balance of economic and political power is shifting from West to East, heralding the Asian Century.” He praised China’s peaceful growth and unwavering support for Pakistan, especially in light of recent regional tensions.
“Security is preserved through cooperation, not military blocs, or demonising countries through disinformation,” he stressed.
Mushahid also condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, calling them “a flagrant violation of International Law and the UN Charter.” He rejected global narratives framing China as a threat, urging for multipolar cooperation over confrontation.
The speakers highlighted China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a driving force for regional progress. PCI Executive Director Mustafa Hyder Sayed said the Pak-China friendship was never tactical or transactional, but rooted in “shared history, trust and a common commitment to uplift the wider neighbourhood.”
Criticising Washington’s recent moves, he said the US Congress’s “Countering PRC Influence Fund” — which allocates $325 million annually through 2027 — is “a Cold-War-era throwback that diverts resources from development and dialogue, precisely the opposite of what our region needs.”
Ambassador Hu Zhaoming described Pakistan as “etched in the deepest hearts of the Chinese people,” and added, “China and Pakistan are like two sides of the same coin — you cannot choose one without the other.”
He emphasized that the BRI, now involving over 150 countries, not only boosts China’s internal development but strengthens global partnerships. He urged youth to “carry the torch of friendship forward.”
Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal noted the global system is fracturing and applauded China’s vision for equality, non-intervention, and dialogue. “The BRI embodies this vision, fostering a network of interdependent economies that choose dialogue over conflict,” she said.
Former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry called for a shift to cooperative international frameworks. He said President Xi’s concept of “win-win cooperation and mutual respect” offers “the most promising foundation for a future world order when the dust settles.”
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik highlighted CPEC’s role in regional stability and called for Afghanistan’s inclusion. He emphasized media collaboration, especially in regional languages, to deepen people-to-people ties.
Participants from academia, think tanks, media, and Chinese companies discussed new strategies to boost soft power and cooperation, including upcoming joint events and exchange programs.
The dialogue underscored Pakistan and China’s enduring strategic partnership, rooted in shared goals and a vision for inclusive regional development.