In a bid to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, the Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS), in collaboration with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore and the School of Communication Studies at the University of the Punjab, has announced the launch of an essay competition.

Chinese Consul General in Lahore, Mr. Zhao Shiren, has confirmed that the Consulate General will oversee the distribution of cash prizes and appreciation certificates to winners of the competition. He emphasized the significance of the essay contest in celebrating the enduring diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.

Open to all enrolled students of the University of the Punjab, the competition seeks to encourage participants to articulate their perspectives on the historic Pak-China relationship. Prof. Dr. Noshina Saleem, Director of the School of Communication Studies, hailed the initiative as a vital step towards fostering a national narrative regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the corridor of knowledge for future generations.

During the virtual launching ceremony, CSAIS Executive Director Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan underscored the objective of the competition, aiming to highlight the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, encompassing various dimensions of cooperation, including socio-economic prosperity and the transformative impact of CPEC.

The essay competition, slated to run for ten days from May 6 to May 16, invites students to reflect on the contributions of CPEC to Pakistan's economy, industrial growth, agricultural advancement, trans-regional connectivity, modernization, and transportation systems.

A distinguished panel of judges, comprising CG Zhao, Prof. Dr. Noshina Saleem, Prof. Dr. Hanan Ahmad, Mr. Riaz Ahmed Malik, Mr. Shams Abbasi, and Mr. Zulkafil Hassan Khan, will evaluate the submissions. The results are scheduled to be announced on May 17, with cash prizes awarded to the winners.