The 2026 Orchid Lecture Series opened in Beijing, highlighting China-Pakistan relations and development cooperation. During the event, Zafar Uddin Mahmood, Special Assistant to Pakistan’s Prime Minister on China Affairs, encouraged developing nations to study China’s development model as a blueprint for the Global South.
Mahmood, who holds the Orchid Award’s Friendship Envoy title, told diplomats and scholars that China’s transformation rests on three pillars: decisive leadership, long-term policy continuity, and domestic reform paired with international engagement. He noted that China’s modernization is tailored to its national conditions rather than adopting external models.
The lecture, titled “Friendship Across Mountains and Seas,” coincides with preparations to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. Mahmood highlighted that bilateral cooperation now spans high-quality manufacturing, green technology, and expanded educational exchange, going beyond traditional diplomacy.
Focusing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mahmood explained that recent phases emphasize vocational training and job creation, giving Pakistani students better access to technical education and skill development.
Organized by the Orchid Award Secretariat and the China International Communications Group (CICG), the series fosters dialogue between international experts and Chinese policymakers. Mahmood also called for more people-to-people exchanges to counter global misconceptions about China’s economic progress.
The event underscores how shared knowledge and collaboration can strengthen China-Pakistan ties while providing practical lessons for developing nations.
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