Pakistan, China to Boost Media and Cultural Ties Under CPEC Phase 2
Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal hosted a senior Chinese delegation in Islamabad for a luncheon meeting aimed at boosting cooperation under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The event, held at the CPEC Centre, also focused on preparations for the upcoming 14th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting in July and exploring new avenues for collaboration in media, arts, and culture.
The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Hu Zhaoming, Spokesperson of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) and Director General of its Information and Communication Bureau. He was accompanied by senior officials including Mr. Hu Xiaodong, Mr. Fan Shilian, and Mr. Li Zishuo. Diplomats from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, including Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Shi Yuanqiang and Attache Mr. Zhang Duo, were also in attendance.
During the meeting, Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need to nurture critical thinking and innovation among Pakistan’s youth, drawing parallels with China’s success in aligning public confidence with national development goals. He appreciated China’s continued support and underlined the importance of people-to-people and media exchanges in deepening bilateral relations.
Highlighting the significance of the upcoming JCC meeting, Minister Iqbal said it would be a key milestone in CPEC’s journey, with preparatory working group sessions already underway to ensure smooth proceedings.
The discussions also featured innovative ideas to bridge cultural and information gaps between the two nations. These included proposals for exchange programs between journalists and digital content creators, as well as sharing English-dubbed Chinese content on popular OTT platforms to help Pakistani youth better understand Chinese society and CPEC developments.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Ataullah Tarar, who also attended the meeting, suggested initiating a digital exchange program specifically for journalists and influencers with strong social media presence from both countries. The goal, he said, is to promote mutual understanding and dispel misconceptions about CPEC through authentic storytelling.
Ms. Amenah Kamal, Member Development Communication from the Planning Commission, supported the idea and proposed that dubbed content in English and Urdu should be made widely accessible through digital streaming platforms to engage young audiences more effectively.
Other senior attendees included Mr. Javed Sikandar, Chief Governance at the Planning Commission, Dr. Nadeem Javaid, Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), and Dr. Muzamil Zia, CPEC’s Regional Connectivity and Infrastructure Specialist.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen Pakistan-China cooperation through dialogue, creativity, and inclusive public engagement.
