AS the People’s Republic of China celebrates its National Day on 1 October 2026, it is an appropriate moment to reflect not only on the country’s extraordinary economic rise but also on one of the principal foundations of its success: the pursuit of ethnic unity through development, inclusion and shared prosperity. This theme was underscored by Ambassador Jiang Zaidong during a reception hosted by the Chinese community in Pakistan on 22 September. His remarks addressed an issue of profound relevance to both China and Pakistan, two nations characterized by considerable ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity. The Ambassador’s central message was clear: national unity is strengthened when all communities participate in and benefit from development.
China’s experience suggests that ethnic harmony is not merely a political aspiration but a developmental imperative. By combining respect for cultural diversity with a shared national identity, China has sought to ensure that all ethnic groups become stakeholders in national progress. Central to this approach is the conviction that social cohesion is best reinforced through development. Investments in education, infrastructure, healthcare, employment and poverty alleviation have strengthened both livelihoods and a sense of belonging. This philosophy echoes the wisdom of renowned Chinese sociologist Fei Xiaotong, who observed: “Appreciate your own beauty, appreciate the beauty of others and when beauty is shared by all, harmony prevails under heaven.” Though articulated in a cultural context, the principle captures the essence of modern nation-building: unity flourishes when diversity is respected rather than erased.
Nowhere is this approach more evident than in Xinjiang. For many years, Xinjiang faced challenges arising from terrorism, separatism and religious extremism perpetrated by a small number of misguided individuals, often encouraged by forces hostile to China’s stability and development. In response, China combined decisive action against violent extremism with major investments in poverty reduction, infrastructure, education, vocational training and employment generation, seeking not only to restore order but also to address underlying socioeconomic vulnerabilities.
Having visited Xinjiang over several decades and most recently attended the celebrations marking the 70th Anniversary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Urumqi on 8 September 2026, I have witnessed a transformation that is difficult to overlook. Modern transport networks, expanding educational opportunities, thriving tourism, vibrant commerce and the preservation of cultural traditions testify to a region that has undergone remarkable change. Equally noteworthy is the fact that many Chinese citizens living and working in Pakistan originate from Xinjiang. Active in trade, commerce and industry, they serve as an important bridge between the peoples of China and Pakistan while illustrating the region’s growing connectivity and economic dynamism.
For Pakistan, Xinjiang’s experience offers valuable insights. While each country’s circumstances are unique, one lesson is broadly applicable: durable stability is most effectively achieved when security measures are accompanied by economic opportunity, social inclusion and equitable development. This lesson holds particular relevance for regions confronting developmental challenges, including Pakistan’s province of Balochistan.
Pakistan itself is well acquainted with the complexities of managing diversity. Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns, Baloch, Muhajirs, Saraikis, Kashmiris, Gilgit-Baltistanis and numerous smaller communities together form the rich mosaic of Pakistani society. Despite differences of language, culture and regional identity, they have contributed to the emergence of a common Pakistani identity.
Pakistan’s experience reinforces an important principle: unity does not require uniformity. Strong nations do not suppress diversity; they harness it. Citizens are more likely to identify with the national enterprise when their cultural heritage, traditions and languages are respected. National cohesion becomes enduring when diversity is perceived as an asset rather than a liability. It is here that the experiences of China and Pakistan converge. Both recognise that ethnic harmony rests on two mutually reinforcing pillars: a shared national identity and respect for cultural diversity. Neither objective can succeed in isolation.
Development also remains central to this equation. Regions deprived of opportunity are more susceptible to alienation and instability. Conversely, when infrastructure, healthcare, education and employment reach previously neglected communities, citizens acquire a greater stake in peace and national progress. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor embodies this philosophy. Beyond roads, energy projects and industrial cooperation, its broader significance lies in promoting connectivity, reducing disparities and expanding opportunities across geographically diverse regions. Development, therefore, serves not merely economic purposes but also social and national ones.
Perhaps the most constructive aspect of Ambassador Jiang’s remarks was his emphasis on mutual learning. China and Pakistan need not view their experiences as competing models; rather, they represent complementary sources of insight. China offers valuable lessons in long-term planning, poverty alleviation and infrastructure-led growth. Pakistan contributes experience in accommodating multiple cultures, languages and regional identities within a common constitutional framework.
As China celebrates its National Day, its journey offers a lesson of enduring relevance: national strength emerges when diversity is transformed into unity through inclusion, opportunity and shared prosperity. The experiences of both China and Pakistan demonstrate that ethnic harmony cannot be achieved through rhetoric alone. It requires visionary leadership, cultural confidence, equitable development and a sustained commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind. In an increasingly fragmented world, that lesson may be more important today than ever before. The Chinese experience demonstrates that when development reaches all communities, diversity becomes a source of strength rather than division. For Pakistan and China alike, that may be the most enduring foundation of national stability, prosperity and progress.
—The writer is an Air Force veteran, defence analyst and author of several books on China.([email protected])
