Chinese envoy lauds working of Confucius Institute

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Friday said education is a core component in bilateral cooperation.

During his visit to the University of Karachi (KU) with a delegation, Zaidong praised the Chinese language teaching at the Confucius Institute.

The ambassador recognized Pakistan's growing IT sector and emphasised the significant role KU plays in cultivating talent that contributes to both local and global business success.

The Chinese delegation led by Ambassador Zaidong met with Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi and other officials. Dr Iraqi highlighted KU's longstanding partnership with Sichuan Normal University, which has played a vital role in running the Confucius Institute (CI) on the KU campus.

Dr. Iraqi also underscored the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Pakistan's economic development, affirming that despite internal challenges, both governments remain committed to its success.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong praised the university's contribution to Pak-China relations, particularly acknowledging Dr. Iraqi and CI's Pakistani Director, Professor Dr. Muhammad Nasiruddin Khan, for their efforts in advancing the Confucius Institute's development.

He noted KU's large student body of around 50,000, which is uncommon even globally, and highlighted the role of education in national progress.

He expressed China's commitment to supporting KU's growth, offering scholarships and further assistance to promote education in IT, artificial intelligence, and agriculture. During Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's visit to China, both nations agreed to enhance educational collaboration, focusing on developing talent for key sectors.

The ambassador also commended the resilience of the Confucius Institute at KU, which continued its work following a terrorist attack in 2022. Despite challenges, the institute has remained dedicated to promoting Chinese language and culture in Pakistan.