The Institute of Regional Studies, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, organised a dialogue in Islamabad to examine China’s path to development and modernization and its lessons for Pakistan. The delegation of young diplomats was led by Mr. Wang Shengjie, Counselor, and included Mr. Zhang Duo, Mr. Yang Taofei, Ms. Wang Yiqiu, Mr. Li Zhen, Mr. Zhang Datuo, Ms. Jiang Lezan and Mr. Zhang Pengfei, who engaged with Pakistani scholars, policymakers and influencers.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies, highlighted China’s achievements in poverty alleviation, rapid economic growth and systemic modernization and noted how China development approaches can inform Pakistan’s pursuit of inclusive and sustainable growth. He pointed to national strategies and Five-Year Plans as practical tools for long-term progress.
The dialogue featured a presentation of the fifth volume of Xi Jinping The Governance of China, published in July 2025, which collects 91 speeches and writings from May 2022 to December 2024 and is organised into 18 thematic sections. Participants discussed how the book frames China’s defining features of modernization and offers guidance on governance, reform and global engagement.
Delegates shared perspectives on people-centric diplomacy, people-centered governance, the four initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative, underscoring reforms within the Communist Party of China and the cultural and inclusive foundations of China development. Speakers stressed that flagship projects such as CPEC remain central to Pakistan-China cooperation and mutual economic opportunity.
Pakistani experts and educationists urged consistency in national policies, competence-based education and people-centric planning as key takeaways. They explored how Pakistan can benefit from China development experience in long-term planning, inclusive policymaking and increased investment in technology, citing China’s roadmap toward a modernization drive for 2035 and the priorities set for the 2026-2030 Five-Year Plan.
The session closed with a reaffirmation of the Pakistan-China partnership and a shared commitment to deeper cultural exchange, technological collaboration and coordinated efforts for mutual progress. Participants left with practical ideas on how to adapt lessons from China development to Pakistan’s policy and planning agenda.
