Beijing Forum - Islamabad, the first overseas chapter of the prestigious Beijing Forum, lasted from 24 till 26 March, 2016, at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). The first overseas chapter was the outcome of collaboration between NUST and Peking University, China's leading institution of higher institution. Beijing Forum, held every year in China since 2004, works for the promotion of "academic development and social progress across the world in order to contribute to the development and prosperity of humankind." Beijing Forum enjoys the approval and patronage of the highest echelons of Chinese leadership. It has been approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education, supported by the Beijing Municipal Government, co-sponsored by Peking University, Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, and Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, and hosted on the scenic campus of Peking University. Under the Beijing Forum's permanent overarching theme, "The Harmony of Civilisations and Prosperity of All", the Beijing Forum - Islamabad was held at NUST under the main theme of "China and Pakistan in the Community of Common Destiny for All Mankind". A wide range of themes and topics came under discussion during three days that saw the convening of 2 Grand Sessions, 3 Plenary Sessions, 11 Panel Sessions, and I Roundtable. More than 60 distinguished intellectuals, experts, and scholars from China, Pakistan, and other countries in the world spoke during the Forum.
The Forum witnessed the participation of leaders, statesmen, policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, renowned academics, intellectuals, experts, media and civil society personalities, scholars and students from China and Pakistan. Select dignitaries from other countries also attended. The Inaugural Session was graced by the presence of H. E. Mamnoon Hussain, the President of Pakistan; Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Science and Technology. The Concluding Session was chaired by Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform.
Exhaustive discussions took place during the Forum on political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic spheres of cooperation between China and Pakistan. Different aspects and issues related to CPEC were explored and examined in detail. Multidimensional challenges and opportunities before China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were also discussed intensively. Speakers highlighted the need for formulating an integrated, holistic, consultative, and co-ordinated framework and a scientific methodology for the successful development of CPEC.
This scientific methodology had to be based on a realistic assessment of challenges that faced CPEC as the flagship node of China's Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, called One Belt One Road for short. It was discussed that CPEC was designed to promote the integration of Pakistan with China's western regions as well as enhance regional connectivity creating veritable multiple payoffs through the multimodal integration of Pakistan with the mega-region consisting of Central, Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Middle East. Therefore, risks associated with the integration of regional societies and markets needed to be pre-emptively mitigated. This risk mitigation required active cooperation with China and other economies in the regions so that an atmosphere of mutual confidence could lead to smooth development of CPEC. It was proposed that several contradictions that existed in the region at the level of inter-state relations needed to be resolved. The global trend of asymmetrical exchange and distribution of resources could negatively impact the development of One Belt One Road and CPEC. That is why it had to be ensured that both CPEC and Belt and Road construction were mutually beneficial for the states and all stakeholders. There had to be strict equality in interdependence.
The Forum proposed that CPEC development had to be phased meticulously. From 2016 till 2030, three distinct phases of five years each had to be outlined with clear and achievable project targets in each phase. There could be sub-phases within each phase. In keeping with the 1+4 (Corridor plus Gwadar, infrastructure, energy, and industrial cooperation and development) logic of development of CPEC, each phase had to consist of projects targeting all of these five elements. This meant each phase had to focus on the development of key infrastructure, both physical and social, as well as projects focused on immediate human development because only a people-centric approach to CPEC's development could lead to maximisation and sustainability of benefits. This people-first model could only work if it were horizontal and participatory. Each phase in turn had to prioritise rapid sequential development of underdeveloped regions of Pakistan and pay careful attention to mitigation and then elimination of rural-urban and centre-hinterland disparities.
Some of the distinguished speakers that spoke during the Forum included;
H.E. Mamnoon Hussain, President of Pakistan; Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to PM on Foreign Affairs; Professor Ahsan lqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform; H.E. Sun Weidong, China's Ambassador to Pakistan; H.E. Masood Khalid, Pakistan's Ambassador to China; Professor Zhu Shanlu, Chairman, Peking University Council; Dr Li Yansong, Vice President, Peking University; Professor Geng Yan, Chairperson, Silk Road Culture Development Association; Lieutenant General (R) Muhammad Asghar; and Vice Admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique, Vice Chief of Naval Staff.