Learning Session on “From Gwadar to Xinjiang: The Strategic Lifeline of China–Pakistan Cooperation” for the China Fellowship Program at the University of Sargodha

On 20th January 2026, a learning session titled “From Gwadar to Xinjiang: Mapping the Strategic Arc of China–Pakistan Cooperation” was conducted under the China Fellowship Program at the University of Sargodha (UoS). The session aimed to enhance students’ understanding of China–Pakistan strategic cooperation, with particular focus on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) within the evolving multipolar international system.
The session was led by Mr. Imran Bhatti, a Scholar in Strategic Affairs and Global Governance, Senior Researcher in Geopolitics, Security, and Cyber Strategy, and Member of the Board of Experts at the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF). Mr. Bhatti provided a comprehensive and structured analysis of the strategic arc stretching from Gwadar Port to Xinjiang, highlighting its geographic, economic, geopolitical, and security dimensions.
During the session, Mr. Bhatti offered advanced insights into CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), covering the historical foundations of China–Pakistan relations, key milestones from 1951 to CPEC 2.0, and the strategic importance of connectivity corridors linking South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Western China. Special emphasis was placed on CPEC Phase I achievements, including energy generation, transport infrastructure, and digital connectivity, as well as the priorities of CPEC 2.0, such as industrial cooperation, agriculture modernization, mining development, and green growth.
The session concluded with a comprehensive summary of key insights, underscoring the importance of understanding great power politics, regional connectivity, and economic diplomacy for students of international relations.
An engaging question-and-answer session followed, during which students actively interacted with the speaker. The discussion enabled students to clarify complex concepts, explore real-world policy implications, and deepen their understanding of contemporary international and regional dynamics.
The session was moderated by Ms. Alishba Aslam, Research Officer at the Pakistan Institute of China Studies (PICS–UoS), who ensured smooth proceedings and effectively facilitated interaction between the speaker and the students.