Sino-Pak Relations with Focus on West China
During its last year visit in April and meeting with officials of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, Kunming, the IPS delegation along with the delegates of Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), Sichuan University, Chengdu, had agreed that the agreement of holding mutual conferences and exchanges of scholars between IPS and ISAS, Sichuan University, shall be extended to ISAS of Yunnan Academy. Under the new arrangements, the annual conference would be held once a year in IPS and the other year in ISAS of Sichuan University and ISAS of Yunnan University on alternative basis. The same pattern would be followed in scholars exchange program.
As a first step towards this arrangement, IPS hosted delegates from the aforementioned counterpart Chinese institutions from March 13 to 21. The delegation consisted of the following scholars:
Ms. Li Tao, Director ISAS, Sichuan University, Chengdu
Mr. Chen Lijun, Vice Director General, ISAS, Kunming
Ms. Guo Suiyan, Director Communication Division/Research Fellow, ISAS, Kunming
Mr. Zhang Xiaodong, Research Fellow, ISAS, Kunming
Mr. Wang Yanan, Research Assistant, Center for South Asia-West China Cooperation, Sichuan University, Chengdu
The main activity during their visit was a 2-day conference entitled “Sino-Pak Relations with Special Emphasis on Southwest China” on March 16-17, at IPS. The objective of the conference was to strengthen Sino-Pak ties and explore new areas of mutual cooperation especially Pakistan’s relations with Southwest China.
The conference was inaugurated by Chairman Senate Mr. Muhammadmian Soomro. The IPS chairman Prof. Khurshid Ahmad and Chinese journalist and scholar Mr. Zhou Rong delivered the keynote speeches. Mr. Khalid Rahman, Director General of IPS, and Ms. Li Tao gave their opening remarks.
The second day’s morning session was co-chaired by Dr. Suhail Zafar Cheema, Minister for Commerce and Investment, Government of the Punjab and Mr. Akram Zaki, former Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and member NAC, IPS. Ms. Guo Suiyan spoke on “An Introduction to West China with Special Focus on Yunnan” while Ms. Li Tao delivered speech on “Opportunities, Challenges and Developmental Ideas Facing the Trade and Economic Cooperation between China’s Sichuan and Pakistan”.
Besides Chinese scholars, Dr. Zahid Anwar, Associate Professor, Area Study Center, University of Peshawar, presented a paper on “Overcoming the Distances: Building the Communication Linkages” while the paper, “Pakistan-Southwest China Cooperation: Dealing with the Possible Hindrances” by Mr. Fazlur Rahman, Director East Asia, Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, was read by Hamayun Khan.
The evening session was honored by Mr. Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate. Prof. Chen Lijun presented his paper on “Measures and Proposals for Economic and Trade Cooperation between Yunnan and Pakistan”. Mr. Fasih Uddin, former Chief Economist and member NAC, IPS, made a presentation on “Prospects for China (Southwest)-Pakistan Cooperation”.
A general discussion followed the presentations.
Session with ICWA: IPS also facilitated Chinese delegations to hold a session on Sino-Pak relations with Islamabad Council for World Affairs (ICWA) on March 17. Mr. Abdul Sattar, former Foreign Minister; Dr. Maqbool Ahmad Bhatti, Chairman ICWA; and other former senior diplomats participated in the discussion.
Dinners and Sightseeing: The Chinese delegations were also hosted dinners by Mr. Aman Ullah Khan, Chairman Pak-China Business and Investment Council and ex-Chairman of Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries and member of NAC, IPS, on March 16 and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed on March 17. Some sightseeing of the city was also organized.
Visits to Lahore and Peshawar: On March 18-19, the Chinese delegations along with IPS scholars held a meeting with the officials of Commerce and Investment Department, Government of the Punjab, at Lahore. Mr. Saeed Ahmad Alvi, Secretary Commerce and Investment, represented his ministry.
For the next two days, the delegations visited Peshawar. IPS organized a seminar on Sino-Pak Cooperation in collaboration with International Relations (IR) Department, University of Peshawar where the Chinese, IPS and IR department’s scholars delivered their speeches. Mr. Abdullah, former chairman of NWFP Public Service Commission chaired the session and Professor Taqi Bangash, Area Study Center (ASC), represented the Vice Chancellor. Interaction with scholars of ASC (for Russia, China and Central Asia) was also organized besides some informal meetings with the faculty and other intellectuals.
The delegations also held a very useful discussion with Maulana Ataur Rahman Dervesh, Head of a madrassa at Peshawar. The delegates were also shown round some parts of the city. Dr. Muhammad Said, member NAC, IPS, hosted the delegations for dinner on March 20. Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar and senior faculty members were also present.
Scholars Exchange Program: Under the tripartite agreement with the Chinese Institutions, IPS is hosting Chinese scholar, Mr. Zhang Xiaodong, Research Fellow, ISAS, Yunnan Academy of Social Scinces, Kunming, for his research on the role of Pakistan in the world politics. He would complete his research in four weeks. Last year IPS had hosted Mr. Jeoffrey Song from ISAS, Sichuan University, Chengdu.
