On Tuesday, 31^st March 2026, Ambassador Masood Khalid delivered a lecture on Overview of Pakistan’s Relations with China and CPEC to the participants of the 39^th Senior Management Course (SMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration, Lahore. The session provided a comprehensive appraisal of the evolution, scope, and future trajectory of Pakistan-China relations in a changing global environment.

Ambassador Khalid traced the historical development of bilateral relations since independence, highlighting key milestones that strengthened mutual trust and cooperation. He noted that both countries gradually built a strategic partnership based on shared interests, which further deepened during regional conflicts and diplomatic engagements. He also examined the changing regional and global scenario, with China emerging as a major economic and strategic power. He highlighted the significance of multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the expanding BRICS framework in reshaping global alignments and enhancing China’s influence.

A major focus of the session was the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Ambassador Khalid explained its role in transforming Pakistan’s infrastructure, energy sector, and regional connectivity, while also noting implementation challenges related to governance, coordination, and perception management. He also discussed emerging security concerns, particularly threats faced by Chinese nationals working in Pakistan, and their implications for bilateral cooperation. He emphasized the need for robust security arrangements and institutional coordination.

Ambassador Khalid concluded by highlighting opportunities for expanding and diversifying cooperation, and stressed the importance of effective policy execution to fully realize the potential of Pak-China enduring strategic partnership.

The panel discussion was followed by a Q&A session.