On 15 December 2025 in Islamabad, the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad hosted a bilateral dialogue with China’s Shanghai Institutes for International Studies to deepen Pakistan China ties and expand academic cooperation.
The meeting centred on strengthening think-tank and academic exchanges as a pillar of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. Discussions covered recent developments in bilateral relations, evolving US global engagement, regional dynamics and developments in Afghanistan.
The Chinese delegation included Prof. Chen Dongxiao, President of SIIS; Prof. Liu Zongyi, Director of the Centre for South Asia Studies at SIIS; Dr. Tan Chenyi; Dr. Zhang Xiaoyin; and Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. Pakistani participants comprised senior diplomats and experts including Ambassador Masood Khalid, Ambassador Zamir Akram, Ambassador Asif Durrani, and Mr. Ishtiak Akil, DG(China) at the Foreign Office.
In opening remarks, ISSI Director General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood described the Pakistan China ties as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and a stabilising force for regional peace and shared prosperity. He highlighted strategic convergence through CPEC, the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation on China’s Global Development, Security, Civilisation and Governance Initiatives, underlining Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, peaceful coexistence and protection of sovereignty.
Prof. Chen Dongxiao reaffirmed China’s interest in peace and development in South Asia and called for deeper people-to-people, academic and think-tank cooperation. He expressed confidence that closer collaboration between SIIS and ISSI would contribute to regional stability and a more cooperative global order.
The session was opened and moderated with introductory remarks by Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of CPSC, and concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks by Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of ISSI’s Board of Governors. Participants expressed optimism that sustained think-tank engagement will produce actionable insights to further strengthen Pakistan China ties as the two countries approach the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
