ISLAMABAD, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The 2026 China-South Asia Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development Cooperation was held recently in Pakistan's federal capital city of Islamabad, bringing together more than 100 government officials, diplomats, scholars, media representatives and international organization representatives from various countries including China, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Addressing the forum, Chaudhry Armaghan Subhani, state minister for Pakistan's Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, said China's experience in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty through systematic planning and concrete measures offers valuable lessons for Pakistan.
The first phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and related socioeconomic cooperation projects have benefited local communities in areas such as infrastructure, healthcare and education, he said, noting that the CPEC 2.0 upgrade and the implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) could provide new opportunities to improve people's well-being.
Zafar Uddin Mahmood, special representative of the Prime Minister of Pakistan on China Affairs, said China's achievements in poverty reduction have provided useful experience for developing countries.
South Asian countries should make better use of their demographic and economic potential, deepen cooperation with China in various fields, create more jobs and improve people's livelihoods, thereby jointly advancing poverty reduction, he said.
A representative of the China International Communications Group (CICG) said China and South Asian countries could work together to explore poverty reduction and development approaches suited to regional conditions.
The representative called on South Asian countries to develop demonstration projects based on their national circumstances, strengthen platforms and mechanisms for exchanges and cooperation, and harness digital technologies to create new momentum for poverty reduction and development.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said China proposed the GDI in 2021, with poverty reduction listed as the top priority among its eight major areas of cooperation.
Practical cooperation between China and Pakistan has continued to advance steadily, the ambassador said, adding that China is ready to share its experience in governance with Pakistan and other countries.
During the thematic sessions, experts and scholars from China and South Asian countries also held discussions on poverty reduction practices, inclusive development, new drivers of development and regional cooperation.
The forum was directed by the CICG and the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, and co-hosted by the CICG Center for Europe and Asia (China Pictorial Publications) and Pakistan's Understanding China Forum. ■
