LAHORE: (Monday, August 28, 2023): Punjab University Department of History & Pakistan Studies, Communication University of China and Pakistan Research Centre for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF) Islamabad in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Pakistan organized an International Conference on “Community of Shared Future for Mankind” at Al Raazi Hall here on Monday. The conference was aimed at understanding the most crucial aspects of China’s vision of a shared global community and understanding how the concept of community of shared future can be implemented in the future and its usefulness in the CPEC project. In his address, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood made welcome remarks and discussed the historic friendship between China and Pakistan. He highlighted the prospects of the conference for sharing ideas and broadening research cooperation among academic institutions in both countries. He said that Pakistan and China can learn from each other’s experiences. He said that political scientists and scholars can study the success stories of each other and can benefit. He said that security, extremist threats and environmental issues are faced by the two regions and can be resolved by mutual cooperation. He hoped that the conference will help give new policies to overcome the challenges faced by both the countries. Dean of the Institute for a Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China (CUC), Beijing, Professor Li Huailing shared his analysis on D-time and Community with Shared Future. He explained how the concept of community with a shared future adheres to equality and encapsulates an inclusive community of values. He said that it embraces differences, respects all, and advocates for universal prosperity and common development. He emphasized the need to establish partnerships of equal treatment, increase mutual consultation, and develop security patterns based on fairness and justice.

Deputy Dean of the Institute for a Community with a Shared Future and Director of the Africa Communication Research Centre at CUC, Prof Zhang Yanqiu highlighted that democracy is not a special right reserved to an individual country. She explained China’s whole process of people’s democracy and how China has been successful in its ability to enthuse and involve people in the political process. She said that the CPC is different from the ruling political parties in some western systems where political parties represent only certain groups of voters. She appreciated the role of CPEC leadership in broadening the obligation to enhance the living standard and well-being of all Chinese people. PRCCSF Executive Director Khalid Taimur Akram also welcomed Chinese scholars and highlighted the role of PRCCSF for their efforts in fostering academic collaboration and building communities with a shared future. The concept of a community of shared future provides new policies to overcome the challenges faced by the world today. The conference successfully highlighted various aspects of China’s BRI roads to prosperity and the openness and inclusivity of the Community of Shared Future. It created an opportunity for young scholars and researchers to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the concept of a community with a shared future. Chairperson Department of Political Science Prof Dr Irum Khalid presented her talk on Community of Shared Future as a greatest synergy for building a better world. She said China has made productive efforts as a major responsible country to champion the political settlement of crises, resolve international issues, facilitate peace and de-escalate tensions. She shared some recommendations to anchor world peace and how the world needs to work together. She also discussed challenges and ways to resolve them. Chairman Department of History & Pakistan Studies Prof Dr Mahboob Hussian welcomed the guests from China and other speakers in the conference. He highlighted the role of the Regional Integration Centre in conducting various joint projects, including conferences, training, and exchange learning programs, to achieve shared aspirations. Director PU Regional Integration Centre Dr Fouzia Hadi Ali highlighted the Regional Integration Centre's commitment to cultivating a shared community concept for regional prosperity. She said that this concept is rooted in the principles of inclusivity, cooperation, and mutual comprehension. She said that a community of shared future emphasizes active listening, respect for diverse viewpoints, and willingness to see the world through others eyes. Department of History and Pakistan Studies Professor Dr Rukhsana Iftikhar shared her perspective on China’s international relations and CPEC. She highlighted socio-cultural exchange, exchange programs, and Pakistan’s participation in different Chinese cultural activities between China and Pakistan. She also explained how CPEC has fostered people-to-people contacts, removed language barriers, and diversified academic collaboration between two countries institutes. She said that the exploration of China and Pakistan's cultural relations in the arts, sciences, and media is growing. Section Chief of the Office of the Institute for a Community with Shared Future, Communication University of China (CUC), China, Dr Ge Yangling, gave a speech on China’s Women's All-round Development and Building a Better World for All. She highlighted China’s contribution to women’s empowerment and how women are taking charge of their lives through self-reliance and collaboration, breaking barriers, and generating economic growth. She also highlighted challenges and presented solutions to promote comprehensive development for women, protection of women's rights, education, and innovation for a bright future. The seminar was attended by the faculty members of the Department of History and Pakistan Studies, the senior management of the Institute for a Community with a Shared Future and nearly 100 undergrad and postgraduate students.