PAKISTAN-CHINA RELATIONS AND GROWING BILATERAL CULTURAL EXCHANGES & COOPERATION

Abstract

Since the signing of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
agreement, there has been a significant increase in cultural exchanges
between Pakistan and China. This includes a surge in educational
exchanges, with hundreds of Pakistani students pursuing higher studies in
China annually, and a noteworthy number of Chinese students studying in
Pakistan. Numerous China Study Centers, Chinese Language Centers, and
Confucius Institutes have been established in Pakistan, while Pakistan Study
Centers and Urdu departments are operational in several Chinese
universities. Translation of Urdu literature into Chinese and Chinese
literature into Urdu is also underway. Furthermore, there have been reports
of intermarriages between Chinese and Pakistani couples. However, despite
the intense focus on the economic and defense aspects of CPEC, the cultural
dimension, which is crucial to the bilateral relationship, has not received
adequate attention. This study endeavors to address this gap in the academic
literature by examining the extent and significance of the cultural
cooperation between Pakistan and China. Additionally, the study aims to
identify measures that can further enhance the mutual benefits of this
cultural cooperation for the people and the two countries.