Zhang Yaping, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led a delegation to Pakistan in late May.

The delegation meets with the President of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Mohammad Qasim Jan.

During his visit he met with the President of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Mohammad Qasim Jan, Pakistan's science and technology minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, and Tariq Banuri, chairperson of the country’s Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Zhang introduced basic facts about CAS and the progress of cooperation on research and education between CAS and science and technology circles in Pakistan and called for further cooperation under the framework of the Alliance of International Science Organization (ANSO).

He stressed that efforts should be made to build the China-Pakistan Geoscience Research Center and support the Belt and Road Initiative and the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The participating Pakistani research institutions appreciated CAS’s long-term attention to cooperation on research and education with Pakistan and supported the cooperation proposal put forward by China.

Mohammad Qasim Jan, said that his academy felt honored to be a member of the ANSO Management Committee, adding that the ANSO is unlike other international scientific and technological organizations.

He also suggested that ANSO members hold more seminars to discuss and implement cooperative research projects.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain advised that the two sides should further strengthen cooperation in information and water technology. He also suggested that the Pakistan Science Foundation sign a cooperation agreement with CAS to fund bilateral scientific research projects.

Banuri said that Pakistan attaches great importance to cooperation with China in the construction of the Geoscience Research Center, which he believes will “significantly” expand the global presence of Pakistan's science and education institutions and improve the country’s ability to cope with climate change.

Pakistan has already decided on the land for construction and plans to set up a task force with China to accelerate building of the center, Tariq Banuri noted.

The CAS delegation visited the land for the China-Pakistan Geoscience Research Center at Quaid-i-Azam University.

The delegation also met with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing and executives of Chinese enterprises in Pakistan, briefing them on the progress and plans of cooperation between CAS and Pakistan.

Zhang was invited by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to make a report on CAS’s scientific and technological cooperation with the countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Source: The Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS