Islamabad, August 13, 2026: The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, hosted a joint symposium in Islamabad to examine the theoretical foundations, institutional practice and broader relevance of Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building for Pakistan and the developing world.
The symposium, titled “Thematic Briefing on Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building,” was organised by the China Program of the IRS and brought together senior Chinese officials, Pakistani parliamentarians, diplomats, academics, researchers and media representatives.
Professor Zheng Huan of the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Liu Daxiu, head of the visiting delegation and First-Class Inspector at the Party Building Research Institute of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivered thematic briefings during the session.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the IRS, also addressed the gathering, while Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong made special remarks.
Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani attended the event as chief guest.
The symposium was attended by senators and parliamentarians representing different political parties, senior ambassadors, officials of the Chinese Embassy, and members of Pakistan’s academic, think-tank and media communities.
Following the thematic briefing, participants engaged in an open discussion on the principles and institutional practices associated with party building and their possible relevance to effective governance and development.
The discussions also highlighted the longstanding ties between Pakistan and China and the importance of strengthening what the participants described as a new type of party-to-party relationship between the two countries.
The event provided a platform for intellectual and institutional exchange between Pakistani and Chinese representatives, while reaffirming the two countries’ longstanding “all-weather” friendship and their commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple areas.
The symposium was moderated and organised by Nabila Jaffer, Senior Research Analyst and Head of the China Program at the IRS, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy. The China Program team, including Muhammad Bilal and Amna Latif, along with other IRS colleagues, supported the organisation of the event.
