SEMINAR MARKS 75 YEARS OF PAKISTAN–CHINA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AT SALU KHAIRPUR

SEMINAR MARKS 75 YEARS OF PAKISTAN–CHINA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AT SALU KHAIRPUR
KHAIRPUR MIRS,
May 22, 2026
Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, hosted a commemorative seminar today to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
The event, organized by the university’s Prime Minister’s Youth Development Council (PMYDC) team, brought together faculty members, students, and international guests to reflect on seven and a half decades of unwavering friendship, strategic cooperation, and mutual trust between the two neighboring countries. The seminar underscored the role of academic institutions in fostering people-to-people ties and highlighted the importance of youth engagement in sustaining the bilateral relationship for future generations.
Delivering the keynote address as an online guest speaker, Dr. Lei, Deputy Director of the China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre (CPJRC), described the relationship between Pakistan and China as an “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” bound by the enduring “Iron Brothers” bond. He traced the origins of this unique relationship back to 1951, when the two countries formally established diplomatic ties. Since then, Dr. Lei noted, bilateral cooperation has expanded remarkably across multiple domains, including defence, economy, trade, education, and infrastructure development. He specifically highlighted the transformative impact of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which have not only accelerated regional connectivity but also created thousands of jobs and energy projects critical to Pakistan’s economic growth. Dr. Lei further emphasized that both nations continue to stand by each other on core national issues, reinforcing mutual trust, strategic coordination, and regional stability in an increasingly complex global environment.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Wahid Bux Jatoi, Pro Vice Chancellor (Main Campus) of SALU Khairpur, praised the seminar as a significant step in promoting what he termed “academic diplomacy.” He observed that universities serve as vital platforms for nurturing informed citizenship and fostering international understanding. Dr. Jatoi called on students to study the Pakistan-China relationship not merely as a matter of state policy but as a living example of how mutual respect and shared aspirations can transcend geopolitical challenges. He also reiterated the university’s commitment to organizing more cross-cultural events, exchange programs, and joint research initiatives with Chinese academic institutions in the coming years.
Prof. Dr. Mehoon Khan Laghari, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, highlighted the indispensable role of academic engagement in raising youth awareness about international relations. He remarked that students, as future policymakers, entrepreneurs, and diplomats, must understand the historical depth and strategic significance of the Pakistan-China partnership. Dr. Laghari also noted that management sciences could contribute meaningfully to the success of CPEC by producing skilled graduates capable of navigating complex trade and investment environments.
Similarly, Prof. Dr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Abro, Chairman of the Department of Media Studies, stressed the importance of media and educational platforms in building positive global narratives. He argued that accurate, balanced, and constructive storytelling about bilateral cooperation is essential to counter misinformation and to highlight the tangible benefits of the relationship for ordinary citizens in both countries.
The seminar was skillfully moderated by Dr. Ali Raza Lashari, Coordinator of the Students Societies Center, who steered the proceedings with clarity and ensured active participation from the audience. Dr. Lashari also delivered a formal vote of thanks, expressing deep gratitude to the guest speaker, Dr. Lei, for his insightful remarks, and to the university administration, faculty members, and students for their enthusiastic attendance.
The event was attended online by Dr. Akbar Ali from Harbin University of Technology, China, whose virtual presence symbolized the growing academic linkages between Pakistani and Chinese higher education institutions. On the ground, faculty members including Ms. Shumaila Rubab Rizvi, Ms. Sadia, and Ms. Sania, along with a large and diverse number of students from various departments, filled the seminar hall, many of whom actively posed questions and shared their perspectives on the future of Pakistan-China relations.
The seminar concluded with a collective reaffirmation of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China—a relationship that has weathered regional and global shifts for 75 years.
Speakers and participants alike renewed their shared commitment to peace, inclusive development, and regional stability, recognizing that the “Iron Brothers” spirit is not merely a diplomatic slogan but a lived reality for millions across both nations. As the university looks ahead, plans are already underway to expand student exchange programs, joint research projects, and cultural festivals under the umbrella of CPEC and BRI, ensuring that the next 75 years of diplomatic relations are even more fruitful than the first.
Media Section
Shah Abdul Latif University
Khairpur