On 23 August 2024, the China-Pakistan youth and cultural exchange program held under the theme of "Hi China, Hi Pakistan" program was organized by China Media Group in Islamabad. The program was aimed at deepening the long-standing ties between Pakistan and China. The program brought together distinguished dignitaries, young officials, media professionals, internet celebrities, and notable figures to discuss the strong bilateral friendship and cultural exchange that contribute to building a community with a shared future between China and Pakistan. The program provided an opportunity to highlight the strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and China and to discuss the important role of youth in promoting this relationship.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Energy Owais Leghari, and Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh, in their video messages, commended the historic relationship between China and Pakistan and congratulated China Media Group for successfully organizing the event.
During the event, Du Jianing, Director of China Media Group in Pakistan highlighted the group’s global reach, noting that its Urdu service in Pakistan has been operational since 1966, marking a significant step in fostering the Pakistan-China friendship.
Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Futures (PRCCSF) participated as a keynote speaker. He cited the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Plant and the Karot Hydropower Project as examples of successful clean energy projects under the China-Pakistan partnership. Under the CPEC Green Corridor Initiative, China has been assisting Pakistan in modernizing its agriculture sector by promoting agricultural research, sharing advanced farming and irrigation system technologies, and enhancing the growth and marketability of agricultural products.
Dr. Hina Shahid, Head of the Department of Media Studies at Foundation University Islamabad and Member Board of Experts PRCCSF, underscored the importance of youth training and learning from China’s development model to bring prosperity to Pakistan. She encouraged the positive use of social media by youth. Mr. Obaid Ayub, Director of the House of Elaan and Member Board of Experts PRCCSF, spoke about the potential of Pakistani youth as the nation's driving force and the importance of aligning education with the modern economy's demands.
Members of the PRCCSF Board of Experts from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar (SBBUWP), Dr. Zarmina Baloch, Ms. Tashfeen Zia, and Dr. Hamida Bibi, also attended the event.
The event ended with a spectacular display of Chinese culture. Children performed traditional Chinese arts, followed by a fascinating show of Chinese cultural martial arts—a cultural practice by children of China that symbolized the deep friendship between the two countries.