On June 22 and 23, 2024, the “Academic Seminar of National Centers for Pakistan Studies and 70th Anniversary Celebration of Peking University (PKU) Urdu Language Department” were held at the new building of the School of Foreign Languages at PKU. Experts and scholars from across the country engaged in Pakistan studies and Urdu language teaching gathered at PKU for a series of in-depth and stimulating academic exchanges.
Before the opening of the seminar on the morning of June 22, Fang Fang, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC PKU Committee and Vice President of PKU, met with the delegation led by Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi, the Pakistani Ambassador to China, at Lin Hu Xuan.
Fang Fang extended a warm welcome to Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi on his return visit to PKU. He emphasized the university’s commitment to academic exchanges and collaborations with Pakistan, expressing gratitude for the ambassador’s support of PKU’s Center for Pakistan Studies and the Urdu language teaching. Fang Fang voiced hopes to further strengthen ties with Pakistani universities and institutions, thereby enhancing academic research and talent development to foster cultural exchanges between the two nations. Ambassador Hashmi appreciated the hospitality from PKU and praised the achievements in Pakistani studies and Urdu language teaching at the university. He looked forward to enhancing educational and scientific research cooperation, with aspirations to see more Pakistani students at PKU and to jointly cultivate scholars proficient in each other’s languages and cultures. The meeting was also attended by Li Shujing, Party Secretary of the PKU School of Foreign Languages; Tang Mengsheng, Director of the PKU Center for Pakistan Studies; Zhang Yabing, Director of the Urdu Teaching and Research Office within the Department of South Asian Studies; and Cui Zhe, Deputy Director of the Office of International Relations.
On the morning of June 22 at 09:00, the “Academic Seminar of National Centers for Pakistan Studies and 70th Anniversary Celebration of PKU Urdu Department” officially kicked off.
Opening ceremony of the “Academic Seminar of National Centers for Pakistan Studies and 70th Anniversary Celebration of PKU Urdu Language Department”
Professor Tang Mengsheng, Director of the PKU Center for Pakistan Studies, commenced the opening ceremony by introducing the preparation of the seminar. He expressed his gratitude to and warmly welcomed distinguished guests such as His Excellency Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi, the Pakistani Ambassador to China; Professor Chen Ming, Dean of the PKU School of Foreign Languages; Liu Yue, Deputy Director of the Institute for International Economic Research atNDRC; and Professor Saerji, Director of the Department of South Asian Studies at the PKU School of Foreign Languages. Professor Tang welcomed the eminent experts and scholars who had traveled from afar togatherat the vibrant Yan Garden during this lively midsummer. He expressed his gratitude for their insightful academic presentations and extended his best wishes for the success of the inaugural national conference on Pakistani studies.
Speech from Professor Tang Mengsheng, Director of the PKU Center for Pakistan Studies
Following the opening, Professor Chen Ming, Dean of the PKU School of Foreign Languages, delivered a warm welcome address. He proudly recounted the seven-decade legacy of the Urdu language teaching and Pakistan studies at PKU, highlighting their rich academic contributions and historical significance. Established in 1954 under the Department of South Asian Studies at the PKU School of Foreign Languages, the Urdu Language Department was the first of its kind in Chinese higher education and has been instrumental in developing numerous outstandingUrdu language professionals. Since the establishment of the PKU Center for Pakistan Studies in 2008, there has been a strong focus on fostering robust partnerships with relevant academic and research institutions in China and Pakistan to enhance Pakistan studies. Over the years, this enduring commitment to Urdu language education and Pakistan studies has played a pivotal role in fostering exchanges and development between China and Pakistan. Professor Chen expressed heartfelt congratulations on the convening of this seminar, warmly welcoming all participants, and expressing his anticipation for the conference to yield fruitful outcomes.
Speech from Professor Chen Ming, Dean of the PKU School of Foreign Languages
In his address, Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi, the Pakistani Ambassador to China, provided a detailed review of the deep-rooted friendship between China and Pakistan. He highly commended PKU’s significant achievements in Pakistan studies and Urdu language teaching, expressing gratitude for the event’s role in promoting Pakistan studies in China. Ambassador Hashmi also expressed his anticipation for extensive future cooperation in areas such as education, scientific research, and cultural exchanges.
Speech from Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi, the Pakistani Ambassador to China
Attendees of the opening ceremony and academic seminar included Professor Saerji, Director of the Department of South Asian Studies at the PKU School of Foreign Languages; Associate Professor Zhang Jiamei, Vice Director; Professor Kong Julan; Liu Yue from the NDRC’s Institute for International Economic Research; Zhao Qiao, Director of the Urdu Department at the China Media Group’s Asia-Africa Center; and alumni from the Urdu Language Department: An Qiguang, Xu Yuenai, Zheng Guojin, Xue Xiaoyun, and Hu Pingping. Additionally, representatives from over 30 universities and research institutions with centers for Pakistan studies, including Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Sichuan University, Hebei Normal University, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Kashi University, China West Normal University, and the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, were present. Nearly 90 experts, teachers, and students from the Urdu language departments at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Communication University of China, and Yunnan Minzu University also participated. The opening ceremony was chaired by Zhang Yabing, Director of the Urdu Teaching and Research Office within the Department of South Asian Studies at the PKU School of Foreign Languages.
During the tightly packed one-and-a-half-day conference, scholars engaged in extensive discussions on themes such as “The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Cooperation,”“Domestic Politics, Foreign Policy, and Regional Security,”“The Current State of Pakistan Studies in China,” and “Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges between China and Pakistan. “The attending experts and scholars unanimously agreed that China and Pakistan, as all-weather strategic partners, have an incredibly broad future for development based on a solid foundation of public support. Both countries are currently committed to upgrading the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with a focus on building corridors for growth, livelihood, innovation, environmental sustainability, and openness. This effort aims to propel the second phase of the corridor’s development to new heights of quality. As scholars of Pakistan studies, we should come together, lever aging our knowledge and wisdom, to provide intellectual support for the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
At the seminar
At the same time, an Urdu language round table took place, featuring Urdu faculty from various Chinese universities, alumni from PKU’s Urdu Language Department, and professionals from fields such as academia, diplomacy, and journalism. Participants reviewed the history of Urdu language studies at PKU, discussed the prospects for teaching and developing the Urdu language, and enjoyed a friendly and engaging discussion atmosphere.
A group photo of scholars attending the Urdu language round table
Around noon on the 23rd, the seminar concluded successfully. During the meeting, Scholars shared their insights from various perspectives, offered constructive suggestions, and achieved substantial results. The participants unanimously agreed that promoting the Urdu language more vigorously would help more Chinese people understand Pakistani customs and culture, thereby deepening their understanding of Pakistan and its people. Moreover, by having think tanks tell authentic and in-depth stories about China, the “Belt and Road Initiative,” and the “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” mutual understanding and trust between China and Pakistan will be significantly enhanced, effectively realizing the fundamental goal of people-to-people connectivity. The scholars all expressed their best wishes for further advancement in Pakistan studies and the flourishing of Urdu language education at PKU.
Text by: Jian Ming, Li Beichen, Liu Shen Photo by: Lu Dongqiong, et al.
