Pakistan-China Dialogue Reinforces ‘Iron Brothers’ Partnership, Champions Multipolar World Order
ISLAMABAD – A high-level dialogue between Pakistani and Chinese officials, scholars, and students reaffirmed the enduring "Iron Brothers" relationship between the two nations, emphasizing shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for a multipolar world. The Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) hosted the event under the "Friends of Silk Road" initiative, focusing on strengthening understanding and building a shared future for neighboring countries. The dialogue underscored the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a catalyst for regional connectivity, peace, and prosperity, contrasting its cooperative approach with the escalating Cold War rhetoric and divisive policies emanating from the West.
The dialogue, moderated by PCI Executive Director Mustafa Hyder Sayed, emphasized the deep historical roots of the Pakistan-China friendship, transcending mere transactional or tactical considerations. Sayed criticized the US Congress’s "Countering PRC Influence Fund," a measure he deemed counterproductive to regional development and dialogue, echoing Cold War-era tactics. He framed the dialogue as part of PCI’s commitment to amplifying voices from Asia and the Global South in the evolving global landscape.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of PCI, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the eastward shift in global power and hailing the "Asian Century." He lauded China’s peaceful rise as a source of strength for developing nations and expressed gratitude for China’s consistent support of Pakistan’s sovereignty, particularly in the face of recent regional tensions. Senator Sayed emphasized the combined strength of Pakistani talent and Chinese technology as a force for regional stability and condemned recent Israeli strikes on Iranian territory as a violation of international law. He advocated for cooperation and dialogue as the cornerstone of security, rejecting the narrative of a "new Cold War" or a "China threat."
Ambassador Hu Zhaoming, spokesperson for the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC), reiterated the profound connection between the two nations, describing Pakistan as being “etched in the deepest hearts of the Chinese people.” He highlighted the expansive reach of the BRI, now encompassing over 150 countries, and its dual focus on China’s internal development and global connectivity. Ambassador Hu urged younger generations to inherit and further strengthen the bond between the two countries.
Representing the Pakistani government, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change, contrasted China’s consistent advocacy for multipolarity, non-intervention, and equality among states with the fragmenting current world order. She portrayed the BRI as the embodiment of this vision, fostering interdependence and prioritizing dialogue over conflict. Former Foreign Secretary Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry echoed this sentiment, advocating for cooperative paradigms in a time of global uncertainty. He posited President Xi Jinping’s philosophy of "win-win cooperation and mutual respect" as the most promising foundation for a future world order.
Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, underscored the importance of security and stability for the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He advocated for “soft-power bridges,” including expanded regional-language media, to foster deeper people-to-people ties. Malik also proposed the inclusion of Afghanistan in CPEC as a natural extension of the shared-future vision. The dialogue concluded with concrete proposals for promoting Pakistan-China “soft power,” alongside discussions of forthcoming events and conferences in China aimed at furthering this objective. The participation of students, scholars, media representatives, think tank members, and representatives of Chinese companies working on CPEC projects demonstrated the broad-based commitment to strengthening the Pakistan-China partnership. The event served as a powerful reaffirmation of the enduring “Iron Brothers” bond and a testament to the shared vision of a multipolar world order based on cooperation, mutual respect, and shared prosperity.