Islamabad (GNP): Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted the Honorary Chairmanship of the Pakistan-China Research Center for Party and State Governance, pledging to promote parliamentary cooperation, institutional exchanges, policy research and mutual learning between the two countries. He was chief guest at the Center’s inauguration ceremony.
Gilani welcomed the Center’s establishment by the Pakistan-China Economic and Cultural Council (PCECC) and thanked the organisers for inviting him to serve as Honorary Chairman. He said it would be an important platform for research, policy dialogue and practical cooperation among scholars, universities, think tanks, public institutions and parliamentary forums in both countries.
He expressed confidence that the Center would help bridge the gap between academic research and policymaking and strengthen wide-ranging bilateral cooperation. As Honorary Chairman, he said, he would encourage closer links between the Center and parliamentary institutions and promote exchanges among parliamentarians, policymakers, academics and young people.
Gilani welcomed Leo Hye-shing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and his delegation. China’s experience in governance, institution-building, long-term planning and economic transformation, he said, offers useful lessons for Pakistan’s legislative and policy institutions.
Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Gilani noted that the Senate had commemorated the milestone with a unanimous resolution, affirming that the friendship transcends political affiliation and social background. He described the relationship as an enduring partnership built on mutual trust, respect and an all-weather friendship.
He recalled welcoming Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Pakistan’s Parliament in 2010, when he was Prime Minister, and receiving a high-level National People’s Congress delegation as Senate Chairman, saying such visits show the depth and continuity of parliamentary ties.
Gilani pointed to China’s experience in poverty reduction, rural development, digital governance, industrial growth and public administration as fertile ground for research and institutional learning, and said the Senate remains committed to strengthening its legislative and oversight roles through informed decision-making and good governance practices.
On the economy, he said CPEC 2.0 offers significant scope for cooperation in agriculture, industry, information technology, innovation, green growth and regional connectivity. The next phase, he said, should deliver tangible results, including investment, jobs, skills development and better living standards.
Gilani toured a photo exhibition on the history of Pakistan-China relations and praised it, saying the images show far more than diplomatic milestones, reflecting a friendship grounded in mutual respect, trust and people-to-people ties. He added that his father visited China in 1956 as a member of Pakistan’s first Constituent Assembly, a cherished legacy for future generations to carry forward.
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Gilani concluded that the friendship is not just a legacy of the past but a shared responsibility for the future, and said he is confident the Center will play a constructive role in advancing research, strengthening institutional links and deepening cooperation. In his words, the friendship is a legacy whose future is a shared responsibility.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
