Beijing: Pakistan’s envoy to China, Khalil Hashmi, today attended and spoke at the Belt and Road Ambassador Scholarship Award Ceremony in Beijing, underscoring the importance of educational exchanges between Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. He commended the program as a vital tool for fostering people-to-people connectivity and congratulated students from Pakistan and Malaysia on their achievements.

According to Press Information Department, Ambassador Hashmi praised the Overseas Chinese Charity Foundation of China for initiating the Belt and Road Ambassador Scholarship program, which offers students from BRI countries opportunities for advanced studies in China. He highlighted the program’s role in promoting global exposure and skill development among students. The Ambassador singled out five Pakistani students—Khalid Atia, Asad Muhammad, Qaisar Irfan, Jamil Muhammad Fawad, and Risalat Amina—for their academic accomplishments and hard work.

Ambassador Hashmi emphasized Pakistan’s demographic advantage, noting its large youth population as a significant driver of innovation and growth. He pointed to the recognition Pakistani youth are gaining globally, particularly in technology and entrepreneurship, and expressed optimism about future collaborations between Pakistan and China, especially in technology, green energy, and artificial intelligence.

The Ambassador reaffirmed the strong relationship between Pakistan and China, describing the countries as “Iron Brothers” and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners. He encouraged students to excel academically and to immerse themselves in Chinese culture during their studies. The ceremony was organized by the Overseas Chinese Charity Foundation of China, alongside the Science and Technology Department of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Tsinghua University, and People’s Daily Haiwainet.