Культурный дипломатия становится ключевым элементом китайско-пакистанских отношений в рамках инициативы «Один пояс, один путь»

The China-Pakistan relationship has traditionally been described through the language of strategic partnership, economic cooperation and connectivity. Yet the most enduring dimension of this relationship may increasingly be found in something that is gaining more attention on both sides. It is about the growing understanding between the peoples of the two countries. Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), cultural diplomacy is expanding from traditional exchanges into education, language, media, digital communication, tourism, arts and youth engagement. Thus, CPEC is emerging as a corridor of cultures, ideas and people-to-people friendship in addition to being a corridor of infrastructure and economic opportunity. BRI also stresses people-to-people connectivity in addition to economic and physical connectivity. The cultural, academic, youth, media and educational exchanges have been identified as important bases for public support and mutual understanding in China’s official plans for the project. Similarly, Pakistan and China have also consistently acknowledged cultural and people-to-people exchanges as an integral element of bilateral relations. This cultural dimension has now received another impetus with that of CPEC. People-to-people exchanges have been included in the CPEC framework and it has been stipulated that Chinese and Pakistani culture and heritage should be promoted through various means such as film, drama and theatre. As CPEC moves into its next phase, it is an opportunity to better incorporate cultural cooperation into economic, technological and educational ties. Language as the basis of knowledge is perhaps the most compelling cultural medium of soft power diplomacy. Who learns a foreign language learns not only words, but history, literature, traditions and thinking in the foreign language. Chinese language education in Pakistan has made significant strides in terms of its number of institutions offering the service, particularly in the universities and language centers and Confucius Institutes. Many institutions such as the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), University of the Punjab and others have been instrumental in fostering the learning of Mandarin. In addition, the Pakistani authorities have also pointed to the growth of Chinese language learners in the country, as well as the development of the CPEC initiative. The Confucius Institutes have proven to be a significant institutional linkage. The University of the Punjab’s Confucius Institute, for instance, outlines its vision in regard to bilateral cultural understanding, friendship and communication between China and Pakistan, while providing the beginner, intermediate, advanced and HSK Chinese courses. Cultural exchange is becoming more and more two-way. The opportunities to study Pakistan, Urdu and South Asian culture have been shaped by the development of the Chinese universities and academic institutions and research on the bilateral cultural exchanges has focused on the growth of Pakistan Study Centers, Urdu related courses and the translation of Urdu literature into Chinese and Chinese literature into Urdu. This two-way exchange is especially valued as cultural diplomacy is at its best when both sides are not simply learning about each other’s culture, but a culture is learning from another. Digitalization is a new cultural bridge that is being created. The digital revolution has brought a new range of possibilities in regards to cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan. A Pakistani student may watch a Chinese documentary or learn about Chinese history using digital content, as well as follow a Chinese lecturer and learn Mandarin from an online platform. In the same way, the Chinese people gets information about Pakistani music, literature, food, television, tourism and social life via digital media. This is especially true for younger generations. In 2025, Pakistan and China discussed increased media exchanges, digital engagement, exchanges of journalists and content creators, wider dissemination of Chinese content translated into English and Urdu, and digital storytelling on CPEC. Such plans can help to move CPEC from a purely economic discussion to a human story which is accessible to people through their daily lives. Digitalization also opens the possibility of joint storytelling. Documentaries, short videos, podcasts and online exhibitions on the lives of ordinary citizens, students, entrepreneurs, artists and communities linked by the bilateral relationship can be produced jointly by Pakistani and Chinese film-makers, journalists, universities, influencers and cultural institutions. This is the time when cultural activities make friendship a reality. Another channel is through music, dance, theatre and the presentation of calligraphy, film festivals, art exhibitions and traditional celebrations. Cultural shows enable the audience to engage with another culture on an emotional level, not a cognitive one. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations, various cultural groups from both countries have visited and exchanged exhibitions with one another and current cooperation has led to new opportunities for artists and cultural institutions from both sides. In the official description of bilateral relations, the aspects of culture, education and science and technology cooperation are given due importance. In the official description of bilateral relations, the aspects of culture, education and science and technology cooperation are given due importance. CPEC links various parts of Pakistan, providing avenues for cultural events among universities and the community, youth groups and provincial cultural institutions. The next step is to establish a more comprehensive ecosystem for the cultural exchange between China and Pakistan. Firstly, more joint digital cultural platforms should be created in Chinese, Urdu and English, showcasing both languages. Secondly, universities can provide more opportunities for joint programs in Chinese studies, Pakistan studies, translation, media and cultural industries. Third, additional scholarships and short-term exchange programs could provide opportunities to the students for firsthand experience of each other’s’ societies. Fourth, cultural cooperation should be more and more related to cultural tourism. Joint Silk Road tourism routes, cultural festivals and heritage programs might enable visitors to learn about the history of the Silk Road between China and Pakistan. Fifth, increased funding for film, animation, publishing and creative-industry initiatives could be made available. In the last but not least, more attention is to be paid to young people in cultural diplomacy. The students today are tomorrow’s researchers, entrepreneurs, journalists, diplomats and community leaders. Providing them with chances of studying each other’s languages, visiting each other’s cities and working on common projects can build relationships that will last for generations. The writer is a media fellow of CIPCC and graduated from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China and may be connected at [email protected]