Distinguished Dean Zhou Qing’an

Professor Li Xiguang, Professors, Friends from Pakistan,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good afternoon to all of you,

It is a profound pleasure to join you today at this distinguished academic gathering that reflects not just the deep intellectual ties between Pakistan and China.

Today’s event also celebrates the shared commitment to fostering global dialogue and understanding.

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University and the Pakistan Culture and Communication Research Center for organizing this meaningful event.

The China-Pakistan Joint Doctoral Program in Global Communication is a strategic bridge connecting our peoples through the power of ideas, inquiry, and scholarship.

This collaboration represents the growing importance of communication studies in an era marked by complex global narratives, contested truths, and the urgent need for dialogue across cultures. Through this program, our brightest minds, Pakistani and Chinese alike, are actively shaping how the world understands itself.

I am particularly delighted to witness the presentation of these significant publications:

-              Indus and Yangtze: A Journey of Two Rivers from One Origin that with the Embassy’s support was seamlessly executed by Pakistan Culture and Communication Center at Tsinghua University;

-              And “A History of Pakistan (Chinese edition)”

These books symbolize the intellectual resonance between our two people, rooted in deep history, cultural richness, and shared aspirations for the future.

Equally important is the upcoming Tsinghua–Xinjiang UFE Finance and Economy research project, Forgotten Stories: Oral Histories of 100 Karakoram Highway Road Builders. This initiative captures the human stories behind one of the most iconic symbols of Pakistan-China friendship. It reminds us that the Belt and Road is not just an infrastructure project but a human story, built on sacrifice, perseverance, and mutual respect.

Ladies and gentlemen,

At a time when the world is becoming more fragmented, it is academic platforms like this that help reweave the threads of cooperation and trust. They give shape to a new model of international engagement grounded in inclusivity, co-development, and cultural empathy.

As Pakistan and China prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, today’s event exemplifies the very spirit that has sustained our partnership for over seven decades and half i.e. the timeless principles of: mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual support and win-win cooperation.

I want to thank everyone from faculty members, scholars, and institutions, who have worked tirelessly to make this collaboration a success. Your contributions will echo across generations.

Let us continue to nurture this academic bond and let us keep telling such inspiring stories together.

Thank you.