Remarks by DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, at Seminar on
“China’s Spring: China’s Opportunities, Shared by the World”,
ISSI, 12 March 2025
It is indeed a great privilege to welcome all the dignitaries and distinguished participants to the ISSI. We are delighted to host this important Seminar in collaboration with the China Media Group.
We are grateful to our esteemed speakers who have had illustrious careers in the world of politics, diplomacy, and academia. They are China-watchers of long standing, with deep understanding of China’s evolution and peaceful development. Their insights on our topic today would be highly illuminating.
I wish to particularly thank our Guest of Honour, His Excellency Jiang Zaidong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, for his gracious presence. We look forward to his enlightening views.
Distinguished participants,
Spring in the Chinese culture represents warmth and growth. It is essentially seen as the beginning of rebirth and rejuvenation of everything. In essence, the beginning of Spring means a new start.
It is, therefore, fitting that every March – at the onset of Spring – China’s famous “Two Sessions”, called Lianghui in Mandarin, are held in Beijing. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC) convene their back-to-back meetings. Nearly 2,000 members of the CPPCC and 3,000 NPC deputies participate in the deliberations focused primarily on domestic affairs. According to Chinese commentators, the ‘Two Sessions’ are a “vivid practice of the whole-process people’s democracy.”
This year’s ‘Two Session’ hold particular importance in the backdrop of significant developments in China’s economic and technological landscape and the intensifying global geo-political turbulence and transformation. Notably, 2025 also marks the conclusion of the 14th 5-year plan and preparations for the 15th 5-year plan. Small wonder thus that the world at large paid special attention to how the Chinese leadership was gearing up to tackle the challenges and realize the opportunities.
As expected, the ‘Two Sessions’ — commencing on March 4-5, 2025 — have been pivotal in setting the policy direction for the country, addressing key issues such as economic growth, technological innovation, and social development. The ‘Two Sessions’ emphasized bolstering the private sector and advancing high-tech industries to enhance economic resilience amid global turmoil. China’s GDP growth target for the economy in 2025 has been set at around 5%, deemed by experts as both prudent and achievable. Further, investments in AI and smart manufacturing highlight China’s leadership in technological innovation. Proactive fiscal policies, including special treasury bonds, aim to stimulate domestic demand and infrastructure development. The 7.2% increase in defence spending underscores a focus on regional stability and national security.
In line with the established practice, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed a wide-ranging press conference on China’s foreign policy and external relations. This is always a keenly watched affair worldwide. Mr. Wang Yi highlighted that the year 2024 saw profound changes in the international landscape as well as remarkable progress in China’s reform and development. He also noted that they had fostered good external environment for China’s high-quality development, brought much-needed stability to a changing and turbulent world, and made new and solid strides in building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Going forward, he stated that China will continue to uphold what is right, steer the direction of our era, defend international fairness and justice, and safeguard world peace and stability. Foreign Minister Wang Yi was supremely confident and unequivocal as he reassured: “Chinese diplomacy will stand firm on the right side of history and on the side of human progress. We will provide certainty to this uncertain world.”
Distinguished participants,
All these messages denote that there is Spring in China — creating new opportunities for the country itself and for the world. In the shape of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the subsequent Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), the world has already witnessed China taking up a global role and assuming new global responsibilities. A vast segment of the world community, including Pakistan, not only supports these initiatives but is also a determined partner in their advancement.
The Pakistan-China All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership is unique in inter-state relations, based as it is on mutual respect, strategic mutual trust, and mutual support on all issues of each other’s core interest. The transformational China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) remains a cornerstone of the relationship, symbolizing mutual aspirations for economic prosperity and regional connectivity. Recent developments and leadership consensus have further solidified this partnership. New initiatives agreed between the two sides are expected to bolster trade, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the socio-economic uplift of our regions.
While our journey is marked by impressive achievements, we must also be cognizant of challenges that have emerged. Security concerns and regional dynamics have, at times, posed obstacles to our collaborative endeavors. However, the resilience and unwavering commitment of both Pakistan and China are ensuring that these challenges are met with resolve and strategic foresight.
The Pakistan-China strategic partnership has been nurtured by all previous generations in the two countries and would continue to grow despite the vicissitudes of times or changes in the regional or international environment. It will continue to serve as a vital factor for stability in the region and beyond.
In this context, the role of entities like the China Media Group and think-tanks like the ISSI becomes increasingly significant. By providing accurate information, facilitating dialogue, and conducting in-depth research and analyses, we contribute to a nuanced understanding of the evolving geopolitical landscape. Our collaborative efforts help dispel misconceptions, highlight successes, and propose solutions to shared challenges.
As we deliberate on the themes of today’s seminar, let us celebrate the achievements of the China-Pakistan partnership and envision the future possibilities that lie ahead. Our shared commitment to development, peace, and mutual respect serves as a beacon for other nations, exemplifying how strategic cooperation can lead to collective prosperity.
Concluding, I once again extend my sincere gratitude to all the participants, organizers, and partners who have made this seminar possible. May our discussions today pave the way for deeper insights and stronger collaborations in the years to come.
Thank you.
