Pak-China cultural corridor needed

Experts discuss academic and socio-cultural perspective of Pak-China relations

Research think-tank Muslim Institute organised a Round Table Discussion titled Pakistan China Relations: Academic and Socio-Cultural Perspectives.

The purpose of the seminar was to draw the attention of different intellectuals, scholars and academicians for practical recommendations on the very subject.

Air University VC Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Faaiz Amir presided the RTD. While Dean, School of International Education, Yunnan University, China Prof Li Wei, Director Confucius Institute Dr Zhang Daojian, Former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce Zafar Bakhtawar, China Pakistan Educational Cultural Institute CEO Ma Heju, COMSATS University China Study Centre In-charge Tanvir Jafri and Muslim Institute Coordinator Tahir Mehmood shared their views.



Speakers emphasised that the topic is very relevant, dynamic with the changing geo-political scenario. Speakers came into light multiple interesting impacts regarding cordial relationship between the two countries.

One of these amazing facts is that out of total 65 countries connected under the OBOR project, 55 are Muslim countries. It manifests a deep sense of Chinese trust in Muslim world.

With these growing engagements in the field of science and technology especially infrastructural projects included in CPEC, government of both the countries need to pay attention towards cultural sensitivity of both the nations.

They said that the people have to recognise and understand different cultural sensitivities between China and Pakistan. When two civilisations interact, there is a fear of amalgamation of smaller one into the larger one and where each civilisation has to be cautious about the cultural sensitivities especially that of smaller civilisation.



If proper measures are not adopted, indigenous cultures were at the risk of degradation. In this respect, cordiality of the relationship demands that the larger civilisation should be very cautious about the idiosyncrasies of smaller civilisation.

Cultural awareness is yet to happen at larger stage in order to cope with this challenge, speakers emphasized. By and large, there are some other economic fears that need to be addressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2017.