Remarks by Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, DG ISSI, at the Inauguration of “China Corner” at the Institute of Strategic Studies,
26 December 2024
Honourable Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister/Minister of State (Foreign Affairs),
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI,
Ambassador Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador of Pakistan to China,
Mr Shi Yuanqiang, DCM at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad,
Distinguished participants!
It is a great privilege to welcome everyone to the Institute of Strategic Studies for the inauguration of the “China Corner.” This is another landmark occasion in the Institute’s history as it becomes the first think-tank in Pakistan to host such a ‘Corner.’
We are grateful for the participation of Ambassador Khalil Hashmi and DCM Shi Yuanqiang as guests of honour in this ceremony. Their tireless work to promote Pakistan-China relations in myriad fields is deeply appreciated.
It is an honour to have Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi as the chief guest. In his long and illustrious career, Ambassador Fatemi has made an invaluable contribution to the growth and expansion of Pakistan-China relations. Our debt of gratitude to him continues to grow as he keeps adding to this contribution everyday in his present capacity.
Distinguished participants,
The ISSI has had a longstanding China focus and is home to the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), dedicated to work on all facets of Pakistan-China relations as well as China’s foreign policy, major global initiatives, and diplomatic engagement with the world. ISSI also has formal institutional relationships with a number of prominent Chinese think tanks, Universities, and Area Study Centres. The ISSI and CICIR are officially designated counterparts within the framework of Pakistan-China think-tank forum under the purview of the JCC’s Joint Working Group on International Cooperation. The ISSI leadership and members of its Research Faculty regularly participate in International Conferences, Seminars, and Dialogue Forums organised by the counterpart Chinese institutions.
For the ISSI, it is an immense privilege to play a lead role in the dialogue between the research and think-tank communities of the two countries. The Pakistan-China relationship is unique in inter-state relations, based as it is on mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual support on all issues of each other’s core interest. Since the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949, the relationship has followed a steady progression and has now evolved into an All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Today, it is an indispensable factor of stability in the region and beyond. Bilaterally, it encompasses diplomatic, political, economic, security, defence, technological, educational, cultural, and people-to-people domains. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), powerfully manifests the commitment of the leadership on both sides to foster transformational economic development and regional connectivity. In sum, the Pakistan-China partnership has been nurtured by successive generations in our two nations. Notwithstanding any momentary challenges or the vicissitudes of times, it will continue to grow in the years to come.
The idea of establishing the “China Corner” at the ISSI Library was conceived earlier this year to provide scholars and researchers a dedicated space as well as essential resources and technical support to carry out comprehensive research on China and Pakistan-China relations. To this effect, the CPSC and ISSI Library teams worked together to collect more than 600 physical and 5000 electronic books, journals, newspapers, and monographs related to China studies. These materials include archival sources, primary texts of China’s paramount leaders, including President Xi Jinping, and secondary sources like books from notable Chinese, Pakistani, and Western scholars. We hope that researchers and students will make optimal use of these resources and delineate a research-based path for an informed Pakistan-China community with a shared future.
Distinguished participants,
It should be recognised that the “China Corner” is not merely a repository of knowledge but a space that symbolises the abiding friendship between our two peoples. It underscores our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of China’s history, culture, policies, and its pivotal role in global and regional affairs. Furthermore, it signifies our resolve to promote academic and cultural exchanges that can enrich the people-to-people ties underpinning Pakistan-China relations.
The “China Corner” aims to serve as a bridge for intellectual discourse, where practitioners, scholars, researchers, and students can engage in meaningful dialogue, informed by a wealth of resources and insights.
Besides the ISSI colleagues, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to the establishment of the “China Corner.” In this context, our special thanks are due to Ambassador Khalil Hashmi and the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad for materially contributing to it with a significant number of books. The ‘Corner’ will remain a “work-in-progress” and the Institute would welcome any further resources that the two esteemed Embassies might wish to make in future.
Let me conclude by expressing my sincere appreciation to our guests of honour, the chief guest, and the distinguished participants for gracing this occasion. Your presence here today reaffirms the strong bonds between our nations and the shared commitment to furthering our long-standing fraternal ties. Let us work together to ensure that this pivotal partnership continues to grow to the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples.
Thank you.
