The main hall of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), jam-packed with young boys and girls waving red and green flags, revived the spirit of Pakistan-China relationship, as Change-in Education in collaboration with Pakistan-China Institute organised National Youth Conference in a vibrant way here on Tuesday.
Themed ‘Pakistan and China Partners in 21st Century,’ the conference was attended by 400 people, including leading academics, foreign delegates, educational speakers, dignitaries, intellectuals, media from both countries and a large number of youth. Pak-China Institute Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed chaired the event.
The conference was aimed at urging the youth to recognise their potential, as youth on both sides of the border are untapped resource that need to be educated and informed to further strengthen the already strong relationship between Pakistan and China. The keynote speakers for the conference included Dean International Studies Peking University China Wang Jisi, Executive Director for Change-in Education Faisal Mushtaq, Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of China Yao Jing, eminent mediaperson Hameed Haroon and Chairman Higher Education Commission Javaid R Leghari.
In their inspiring speeches, the panel talked about the importance of Pakistan and China relationship and the need for taking this relationship further by strengthening and collaborating more youth to youth contact. They highlighted the enormous opportunities especially through education and information exchange that exist and can be availed in the development of youth of Pakistan and China.
Terming the next century as century of Asia, Senator Mushahid Hussain said that United States depends on China for its economy and on Pakistan for its security in Afghanistan. He said that changing scene of world politics has replaced the concept G-20 with G-2 with China and United States as main international actors. He said that next year Pakistan will celebrate the 60 years of its diplomatic relationship with China. “The next year will be celebrated as Pakistan-China relationship year,” he said urging youth to learn Chinese language, as it is the language of prosperity, friendship and progress.
Faisal Mushtaq highlighted the significance of numbers in Pak-China relationship and said that together the population of Pakistan and China make 21 per cent of the world’s total population. He reiterated the need of youth empowerment through education and said that collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese youth can change the picture of this region.
Agreeing to the notion that future will belong to G-2, Dean International Studies Peking University China Wang Jisi said that the G 2 will be China and Pakistan because they are good friends and trusted partners. He said that both countries have great potential and face similar kind of challenges. “China is still a developing country and have long way to go to ensure prosperity for every citizen,” he said.
He said that Pakistan and China should support each other at international forums. He said that future of the region is in the hands of youth. He stressed the need to improve and strengthen society-to-society relationship to fully utilise the potential of youth of both countries.
Hameed Haroon said that more facilities to learn Chinese language should be created to improve relationship between the two countries. Terming it biased information; he said that whatever we learn about China is from the articles of western news agencies. “You should read more Chinese literature to learn lessons from Chinese development,” he advised youth.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Javaid R Leghari said that HEC is planning to send 10,000 students from vocational to PhD education to China over the next five years.
He disclosed that a Chinese mobile phone company is establishing telecommunication university and a plant to manufacture mobile phones in Hazara. At the end, mementos were distributed among the panellists and organisers.
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