Pakistan-China Educational Collaboration – OpEd

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It was Pakistan who firstly recognized People’s Republic of China in 1950 since then both states entertained all weather friendship with the collaborated in bi-lateral relationship. It is true that relationship of both states is higher than the mountains and deeper than oceans. The initiatives of the current governments have further enhanced the collaboration in multilateral sectors.

President Zardari has repeatedly confirmed that Pakistan would build a really robust relationship with China. His last visit led a delegation to China in pursuit of substantive breakthroughs in various fields of cooperation between the two countries. The all-out stress was put on trade expansion, joint ventures which can boost Chinese investment in Pakistan, currently the annual trade between the two countries is over $ 7 billion but, with the free trade agreement will raise it further more.

Pakistan has indeed been lucky to have in China a trustworthy and reliable friend, as China has always helped Pakistan whenever the latter was in dire straits. It would not be wrong to say that China has more interest in Pakistan’s stability than any other country of the world. It is China who used to appreciate Pakistan in the war against terror. It believes that Pakistan has paid a heavy price in combating terrorism. Both states are trying to establish more strategic partnership that would promote peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

Today China houses 20% global population and because of its overwhelming growth rate, it has become a powerhouse of Asia. The enormous Chinese development in the field of technology, industry and even in the field of defence has created a fear in the Western world. India too is jealously following the Chinese path. Since China has strategic partnership with Pakistan, therefore, this aspect seriously bothering India. Projects like; Karakoram highway, Gwadar port, and Chashma nuclear reactors are some of the aspects where both countries are having strategic cooperation. Besides, China is investing in a number of other projects like; 2.6 billion dollars Kohala Hydel project and 8 billion dollars Bunji dam project, etc.

Apart from the strategic and economic collaboration China is helping Pakistan to enhance its capacity in education especially in science and technology sector. There is a strong aspiration of exchanging visits of young students and professionals on both sides under this programme and China will help Pakistan to enhance its capacity in science and technology on priority basis. The joint education projects will create a new phase of the relations between the two counties.

China is offering multiple scholarships for international student (especially Pakistani students). Its institutions and students are amongst the best in the world. As compared to other Asian countries the Chinese universities are churning out social and natural scientists, engineers, mathematicians, etc. by the droves, and that really is the true secret behind their insane pace of development. Just because of such standard they have qualified experts and professionals, who are working in many leading companies of the world.

According to observers, China is fast emerging world power and soon it would replace the USA as leading world economy. In futuristic view, Pakistani youth needs to learn Chinese lengauge which would help them excel in the future. In this regard Sino-Pak bilateral relations are set to achieve another milestone as a language exchange programme is being launched. Under the plan, Chinese language will be compulsory subject at secondary level in Sindh province from 2013. A part of this, the multiple private institutions have launched different Chinese language courses. It is true that Chinese and Pakistani people have developed mutual relationship of love, respect and brotherhood. However, the only hurdle is a communication gap. The language exchange programme will help us cross this barrier.

It is very much true that “if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So if we are really willing to utilize our all-weather friend than we have to establish educational collaboration with her. It is the proper time to the youth to understand the importance of China and appreciate its enlightening collaboration.

Dr. Imran Ali Sandano

Dr. Imran Ali Sandano is an author of "Sufism and Peace: A Counter Strategy of Extremism" and "Separatist Movement of Balochistan: A Non Traditional Security Threat" books. Currently, he is working as Senior Research Fellow at Nontraditional Security and Peaceful Development Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. His areas of interest are nontraditional security issues, terrorism, and conflict resolution, diplomacy, and Sufism. Dr. Sandano is a regular writer of different newspapers and weekly magazines. He holds PhD degree in Nontraditional Security Management, M.Phil degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Masters in International Relations. He can be reached at [email protected]. Tweeter iiimran110.

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