BY: ANI Corespondent:
KARACHI—The Economic Diplomacy Forum (EDF), in collaboration with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi, organized its Third High-Level Seminar to commemorate the 105th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) under the theme “Celebrating 105 Years of the Communist Party of China: Lessons, Opportunities and the Future of Pakistan–China Economic Cooperation.”
The seminar was attended by members of the Consular Corps, senior government officials, business leaders, academia, media representatives, and members of civil society, who discussed China’s remarkable development journey and explored ways to further strengthen Pakistan–China economic relations.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal, Founder President of the Economic Diplomacy Forum, said that China’s transformation from a developing country into the world’s second-largest economy offers valuable lessons in visionary leadership, long-term planning, industrialization, poverty alleviation, technological innovation, and economic governance. He emphasized that Pakistan can benefit from China’s development experience by strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, industrial collaboration, technology transfer, human resource development, and regional connectivity through effective economic diplomacy.
In his keynote address, Mr. Feng Deheng, Acting Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi, highlighted the historic achievements of the Communist Party of China during the past 105 years and reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to its All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with Pakistan. He underscored the importance of high-quality development under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), industrial cooperation, innovation, sustainable development, and people-to-people exchanges as key pillars of future bilateral cooperation.
A special video message from Chinese scholar Professor Rong Ying emphasized that the CPC’s development philosophy has transformed China into a global economic power while lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. He noted that enhanced academic collaboration, policy dialogue, and research partnerships between Pakistan and China would further strengthen bilateral understanding and create new opportunities for cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Huma Baqai highlighted the importance of educational cooperation, intellectual engagement, and cultural exchanges in further deepening Pakistan–China relations. She observed that China’s development model offers important policy lessons for developing countries seeking sustainable economic growth and institutional development.
Mr. Khalid Mansoor, former Chairman of the CPEC Authority, emphasized that the next phase of CPEC should focus on industrialization, export-oriented growth, energy security, value-added manufacturing, and greater private-sector participation. He stressed that Pakistan should capitalize on emerging opportunities to attract Chinese investment and accelerate economic modernization.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Behzad Amir Memon, Additional Secretary Investment, Government of Sindh, highlighted Sindh’s strategic importance as Pakistan’s economic hub and reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for domestic and foreign investment, particularly from Chinese enterprises.
The Guest of Honour, Mr. Zubair Motiwala, underscored the vital role of the private sector in strengthening Pakistan–China economic cooperation. He called for enhanced collaboration in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, technology, and industrial development, while encouraging stronger business-to-business linkages to fully realize the vast economic potential between the two countries.
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal expressed appreciation to the Acting Consul General of China, the Consulate team, distinguished speakers, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, business leaders, academia, media representatives, and all participants for contributing to the success of the seminar. He reaffirmed the Economic Diplomacy Forum’s commitment to promoting economic diplomacy as an effective instrument for strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation.
To commemorate the 105th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China, a ceremonial cake-cutting was held, symbolizing the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.
At the conclusion of the seminar, appreciation shields were presented to all distinguished speakers and to the Acting Consul General in recognition of their valuable contributions. On behalf of the Consulate General of China, Mr. Feng Deheng also presented a book authored by Xi Jinping to Dr. Muhammad Farooq Afzal as a gesture of goodwill and friendship.
The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by the organizers and participants to continue fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and practical cooperation aimed at expanding trade, investment, industrial collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and China.
