On May 22, 2015, the opening ceremony of the International Academic Symposium on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was held at Zhongguanyuan Global Village, PKU. The symposium was hosted by the Center for Pakistan Studies of Peking University, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in China, the China Silk Road Cultural Development Foundation, and co-hosted by the Center for Pakistan Studies of Sichuan University and the Center for Pakistan Studies of Fudan University. Researchers and scholars from both countries gathered during the two-day symposium to exchange academic insights on the development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Li Yansong, vice president of Peking University first extended a warm welcome to all attendees. He stated with President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan, the friendship between China and Pakistan is raised to a historical "all-weather" level. He said that CPEC was a high priority in Sino-Pakistan bilateral cooperation. Therefore, the symposium is expected to offer aid to policy-making and system designing. Vice President Li then wished the symposium great success.
H.E. Ahsen Iqbal came all the way from Pakistan to Beijing to attend this meeting. He explained the importance and advantages of establishing CPEC, as it could make the already strong political relationship between the two countries into an even stronger strategic economic partnership. As a result, not only China and Pakistan, but also the world economy will benefit from the integration of this region.
Later, H.E. Khalid Masood, the Pakistan Ambassador to China, Prof. Geng Yan, chairman of the China Silk Road Cultural Development Foundation, and Wang Linggui, Secretary of the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered speeches around the topic of the development of CPEC and the enhancement of Sino-Pakistan relationship.
The International Academic Symposium on CPEC will last for two days, during which delegations from China and Pakistan will have in-depth discussions regarding the future of bilateral economic cooperation and provide suggestions for the development of CPEC.
Background information: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a 3,000-kilometer network of roads, railways, and pipelines to transport oil and gas from southern Pakistan's Gwadar Port to Kashgar city in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Proposed by Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Pakistan in May 2013, the CPEC will act as a bridge for the new Maritime Silk Road that envisages the linking of 3 billion people in Asia, Africa, and Europe. A flagship project of the Belt and Road initiative as well, the CPEC intends to revive the ancient Silk Road with a focus on infrastructure.
Written by: Ge Nan
