IPS Delegation Pays Visit to China

Under the tripartite arrangement among Institute of Policy Studies, Institute of South Asian Studies, Sichuan University, Chengdu and Institute of South Asian Studies, Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, Kunming, the 5th Annual Conference titled “Development on Regional Situation and Sino-Pakistan Relations” was jointly held by ISAS, Chengdu, ISAS, Kunming, IPS, Islamabad and Pakistan Study Center (PSC), Chengdu in Chengdu, Sichuan, China on May 26, 2009.

A three member IPS delegation, headed by Director General, Khalid Rahman, and included Aman Ullah Khan, Member National Academic Council of IPS (NAC) and Saleem Zafar, Research  Coordinator attended the conference and presented  the two papers. Around 50 experts of South Asia and economic affairs participated in the conference. The Consul General of Pakistan in Chengdu, Mr. Masood Akhtar, and Director of China Study Centre of Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Mr. Fazal-ur-Rahman also participated in the conference and shared their views on the subject.

The Conference was organized in three sessions. The first two sessions were devoted to exploring the overall regional economic, security and political situation, and the avenues and imperatives for furthering Pak-China relations. In the third session, two groups were formed into a roundtable arrangement to discuss two themes in detail, namely “Sino-Pak Relations” and “Regional Development and Security Situation.”

The two memoranda of understanding one between Culture College, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan China and Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and the other between Pakistan Study Centre, Siachuan University Chengdu and IPS were signed during the visit in order to develop the strong institutional ties for the pursuit of common objectives.

The delegation visited Pakistan’s Consulate in Chengdu and discussed the areas of concern and challenges and opportunities especially in the business arena for expanding and cementing the relationship between the two countries.

DG IPS delivered a lecture on Regional Security Situation and Pak-China Civilisations” organized by the China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan.

He also attended a roundtable meeting in Beijing organized by China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and held a detailed meeting with the scholars of Peking University where the issues of mutual interests came under discussion. On his way back, Mr. Rahman visited Yunnan Institute of International Studies, Kunming and discussed Pak-China relations in the context of current national, regional and international scenario.

The 6th annual joint Conference of ISAS, Chengdu, ISAS Kunming and IPS will be held at IPS in the next year.