The China-Pakistan Information Corridor (CPIC) was officially launched in Islamabad on Monday under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0).
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong were among the dignitaries present.
The officials formally inaugurated the initiative by placing their hands together on a globe displayed in the corridor’s logo.
Addressing the ceremony, Mao Ning said that in a world increasingly affected by fake news and misinformation, the China-Pakistan Information Corridor was essential.
She said the friendship between Pakistan and China had grown beyond traditional ties into a strong strategic partnership, adding that CPEC was bringing positive changes to the lives of people in both countries.
Mao described the new initiative as a digital highway connecting the two countries, much like the Karakoram Highway that physically links Pakistan and China.
Speaking on the occasion, Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan considered its friendship with China a valuable legacy that it wanted to pass on to future generations.
He said a dedicated secretariat had been established for the corridor to bring the people of both countries closer by connecting their minds, ideas and views.
“If CPEC connects our economies, the China-Pakistan Information Corridor will connect our minds and thoughts,” Tarar said.
He said the initiative would focus on four key areas: media and fact-checking, business and enterprise, think tanks, and culture, tourism and youth.
Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said cooperation between the two countries should produce practical results and bring real benefits to their people.
He expressed confidence that the information corridor would provide an important platform for strengthening cooperation and sharing experiences between the two countries.
The inauguration ceremony also featured cultural performances by Pakistani and Chinese artists, which received warm applause from the audience.
