Pakistan and China on Tuesday launched the China-Pakistan Information Corridor (CPIC) in Islamabad to strengthen media cooperation, promote information sharing and deepen people-to-people ties as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Addressing the launch ceremony at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the initiative would help preserve the legacy of Pakistan-China friendship and pass it on to future generations.
He described the corridor as a bridge between the people of the two countries, connecting minds and fostering mutual understanding through media, information sharing and digital platforms.
The initiative brings together media organisations, think tanks, academia, businesses, universities and young people to promote bilateral cooperation. It is built around four pillars: media, business and enterprise, think tanks, and culture, tourism and youth.
Tarar said the media pillar would facilitate verified news exchange between Pakistani and Chinese media organisations and establish fact-checking mechanisms to counter misinformation. The business pillar would promote trade and investment links, while the think-tank pillar would encourage joint research, dialogue and publications.
The culture, tourism and youth pillar would strengthen people-to-people contacts and expand opportunities for youth engagement and exchanges between the two countries, he added.
The minister said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) connected the two countries’ economies, while the information corridor would strengthen mutual understanding.
He also announced that the first regional office of the corridor’s trade pillar had been established in Karachi.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said the initiative would promote greater cohesion through information sharing and improve understanding of each other’s cultures and traditions.
He said the corridor would also help counter propaganda targeting the two countries and strengthen public support for their longstanding friendship.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the launch was important as fake news and misinformation posed growing challenges, underscoring the need for accurate, timely and reliable information.
She said the corridor’s four pillars would help communicate the achievements of China-Pakistan cooperation and enable more people to understand and support bilateral ties. The initiative would also strengthen the public foundation of the two countries’ all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, she added.
Secretary of Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil said the corridor would build on existing agreements between Pakistani and Chinese news agencies, broadcasters and film bodies covering news exchange, content sharing and co-production.
He said the initiative would provide a platform for exchanging information, media content and professional expertise while promoting credible narratives about Pakistan-China relations.
The ceremony also featured documentaries highlighting the countries’ longstanding strategic partnership and cultural performances celebrating their friendship.
The launch is part of activities marking 75 years of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations and reflects the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping to expand cooperation in media, culture, tourism and research.