China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning Monday said that the launch of the China-Pakistan Information Corridor (CPIC) is timely and necessary to counter misinformation and highlight the positive stories of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the CPIC in connection with the celebrations of 75th anniversary of China-Pakistan relationship, Mao said China and Pakistan had numerous stories to share with the world, adding that the initiative would help connect the hearts and minds of the two peoples and lay a stronger foundation for their strategic partnership.
“Stories can shape how people think,” she said, emphasizing the importance of authentic narratives in an era when fake news and misinformation remain major challenges.
Recalling the longstanding friendship between the two countries, Mao said the Chinese people had never forgotten Pakistan’s assistance following the devastating earthquake in China in 2008.
She described Pakistan and China as all-weather, iron brothers and praised the friendliness of the Pakistani people, sharing her own experience of feeling at home in Pakistan.
Mao said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had helped stabilize energy supplies, improve infrastructure and enhance the well-being of the Pakistani people.
Sharing a story that particularly impressed her, Mao highlighted Pakistan’s first female metro train driver, whose professional achievement demonstrated the capabilities and confidence of Pakistani women.
She recalled the woman’s view that the best part of her job was being fearless and demonstrating what she was capable of achieving.
Mao expressed confidence that CPEC would create further opportunities for women in Pakistan, describing the achievement as an excellent example of China-Pakistan collaboration.
She said the CPIC’s four pillars would play an important role in communicating more positive stories about bilateral cooperation and helping people in both countries better understand each other.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said considerable efforts had been made to bring the CPIC from conception to launch, describing it as an important platform for strengthening public understanding of China-Pakistan relations and promoting cooperation under CPEC 2.0.
He highlighted the significance of the initiative as the two countries continue to deepen their longstanding partnership and expand cooperation across different sectors.
Referring to agricultural cooperation, Jiang welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s initiative to promote collaboration in the sector, describing agriculture as a key pillar of Pakistan’s economy and an important component of CPEC 2.0.
He said agricultural trade between China and Pakistan had performed strongly during the first eight months of the year, registering a year-on-year increase and welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation.
The ambassador noted that agricultural modernization and expanded trade were consistent with the priorities of the leadership of both countries.
Jiang also highlighted cooperation in space exploration, referring to the announcement made on April 23rd concerning a Pakistani astronaut’s planned participation in a mission to the Chinese space station. He described the development as another milestone in the growing partnership between the two countries.
Sharing his personal observations, the ambassador said he had witnessed improvements in the lives of ordinary Pakistanis.
Jiang also underscored the importance of the recent plenary session of the Communist Party of China (PC) , saying China’s development and its approach to global engagement were taking place amid a period of profound international transformation.
He said the CPC had consistently maintained a global vision and promoted the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Exchanges and mutual learning in governance, he added, remained important priorities in China-Pakistan relations. China was ready to strengthen exchanges with Pakistani counterparts and deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Jiang expressed confidence that the CPIC would serve as an important platform for fostering a favorable public understanding of China-Pakistan relations, advancing cooperation under CPEC 2.0 and promoting mutual learning and a shared vision for the future.
He wished the initiative success, expressing hope that it would further strengthen the foundations of bilateral friendship.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan and China shared common cultural traditions and a longstanding bond of friendship, adding that the mountains and rivers connecting the two countries carried stories of their close relationship.
He said generations of people in both countries had passed down stories of friendship, mutual support and cooperation, helping preserve the relationship as a lasting bond between the two nations.
The launch of the China-Pakistan Information Corridor is aimed at strengthening information exchange, promoting authentic narratives and expanding people-to-people connections, complementing the broader economic and strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China.
