Islamabad: There is pressing need for collaboration and cooperation between United States and China to tackle emerging global challenges, including traditional and nontraditional security threats. Speakers and experts emphasised critical importance of building bridges and fostering dialogue between these two influential nations to address complex issues facing world.

Two nations are paramount to effectively tackle complex global issues such as climate change, public health crises, technological advancements and economic stability.

Speakers echoed these sentiments at highly anticipated webinar ‘China-US Relations: Emerging Trends and Future Perspectives,’ organised by Centre for BRI and China Studies at Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies. Distinguished academics and experts from China and Pakistan shared their views.

Dr. Farhat Asif, founder President Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies shared reason for hosting this important webinar and shared vision and mission of Centre and Institute. She said that in these times when lines are blurred, there is need to indulge in dialogue to understand ongoing US-China relations. 

Prof Cheng Xizhong senior Fellow of Charhar Institute, visiting Professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law and Director of Chinese Association for South Asian Studies explained China’s firm stance on issues and challenges between US and China, especially growing military provocation from US in region. He said there is need to uplift sense of mutual respect, win-win cooperation and peaceful co-existence as pre-conditions for US-China cooperation. Dr. Munawar Hussain Assistant Professor Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America, Quaid I Azam University Islamabad adopted an academic stance of expressing insights by comparative analysis of work of Chinese and American scholars. He said there is need for collaboration between two most important countries on global issues, including climate change and endemic, among others while expressing his utmost satisfaction over positive development of relations between two nations through exchange of visits and prioritising discussions over war. 

Prof. Zhou Rong senior Fellow of Chongyang Institute for Financial Study of Renmin University China highlighted owing to economic interdependence between China and US, war is unlikely between two nations but prospects for cold war are high. Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan Director at China Study Centre, COMSATS University Islamabad explained difference between US-China world views and said as result of ongoing tensions and challenges. He said that China has made its global contribution to development through various initiatives and has always refrained from interfering in internal matters of other countries. 

Dr. Rashid Aftab Director of Riphah Institute of Public Policy said that there is strong need for US and China to adopt policies of cooperation instead of confrontation.  Number of participants including academics, diplomats, students and faculty members attended this discussion and gained wealth of knowledge and insight.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 12 2023

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