LAST month, sixteen Pakistani influencers—spanning academia, media, think tanks and Generation Z leaders—were invited to China under the “Pakistan Media and Think Tank China Tour,” sponsored by the State Council Information Office.
This diverse delegation, ranging from septuagenarians to vicenarians, toured Beijing, Chongqing, Kashgar and Urumqi over twelve days. A diplomat from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad accompanied the group, along with four officials from the host office and two interpreters.
The tour kicked off in Beijing at the Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute (CERI), a flagship R&D hub of China Huaneng Group. Founded in 2010, CERI is at the forefront of developing advanced clean energy technologies to support China’s carbon neutrality goals and global climate commitments. Its work spans: Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS); Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC); Renewable energy systems (solar, wind, hydro); Clean coal innovations and low-grade fuel optimization; Smart energy system design. CERI exemplifies how state-driven innovation aligns with both domestic demands and international environmental diplomacy, offering scalable models to developing nations.
The second stop was the Media & Think Tank Symposium hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG)—a multilingual media conglomerate founded in 1949 under the Central Propaganda Department of the Communist Party. CICG’s mission is to “tell China’s story well” by: Promoting Chinese culture, governance and development narratives; Publishing in 40+ languages distributed to 180+ countries; Shaping international perceptions through soft power and strategic storytelling.
The exchange between delegates and Chinese counterparts was both candid and insightful, continuing into the evening over a formal banquet. Since this scribe has been visiting China since 1974 and over the span of fifty-one years, been a witness to China’s development and authored seven books on China, the hosts were very keen to learn of my views and narratives. The group also visited China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), one of the world’s largest engineering and infrastructure enterprises. As a flagship implementer of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CCCC specializes in highways, bridges, ports and urban transit systems. Its mission is to “build a better-connected world” by: Designing large-scale infrastructure; Investing in logistics and transport networks; Promoting sustainable cities and smart development; Advancing China’s global engagement through infrastructure diplomacy.
One of CCCC’s most significant contributions to Pakistan is its involvement in the Karakoram Highway (KKH). Originally constructed between 1966 and 1978 by CCCC’s predecessor, the Foreign Aid Office of China’s Ministry of Transport and Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization (FWO), KKH—dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World”—runs over 1,224 kilometres from Kashgar to Thakot. In recent decades, CCCC has modernized key segments of the KKH, including: The Attabad realignment, featuring five tunnels totalling 7 km; The Hevellian–Thakot Expressway, a 118 km, high-speed section; Bypasses and slope reinforcements in areas affected by the Dasu Dam project.
The formation of Attabad Lake has a special significance for this scribe, who, in his TV talk show Defence & Diplomacy on 4 January 2019, was the first to report the landslide that created Attabad Lake, which forced the realignment. The modernized KKH now includes safety features to withstand landslides and floods, ensuring year-round connectivity. Beyond the KKH, CCCC’s involvement in CPEC includes: Gwadar Port expansion, enabling access to the Arabian Sea; Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV); South China Commodity Exhibition Centre in Gwadar; A 300MW coal-fired power plant using advanced supercritical technology. These ventures highlight how engineering excellence blends with diplomacy to drive economic transformation and regional integration.
Another highlight was a visit to the BJEV STELATO Ultimate Factory, a BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co., Ltd.) subsidiary, which globally markets the Stelato, S9 luxury EV model. This cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility epitomizes China’s ambition in intelligent, eco-friendly and automated production. Its defining features include: Near-100% automation in stamping and assembly; AI-powered quality control centres; Flexible production lines calibrated by Huawei’s ADS 3.0 autonomous driving system; A design standard that meets the “black light factory” model, capable of operating in complete darkness.
In a world-first, the factory deployed “Walker S1”, a “humanoid robot” developed by UBTECH, programmed for: Visual inspection of auto parts with 99% accuracy; 3D reconstruction and zero-shot part detection; Collaboration with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for seamless logistics; Swarm intelligence, enabling coordinated decision-making across robotic systems. This revolutionary leap from semi-flexible to fully intelligent manufacturing reflects China’s rapid convergence of AI, robotics and EV mobility.
The delegation was also introduced to the factory’s Xiangjie S9, a premium EV sedan with a high-end digital cockpit and autonomous driving capability. Guests enjoyed a ride in the vehicle, offering a tangible sense of how smart technology is transforming mobility. No visit to China would be complete without honouring its cultural grandeur. Delegates toured the Badaling section of the Great Wall, marvelling at its scale and historical significance. This awe-inspiring feat of ancient engineering—once visible from the Moon—remains a testament to the spirit of perseverance and ingenuity.
The first leg of the “Pakistan Media and Think Tank China Tour” provided not only a dynamic insight into China’s industrial and technological ascent but also a platform for shared perspectives and deepened understanding. Each visit—from clean energy innovation and infrastructure diplomacy to media engagement and intelligent manufacturing—offered a nuanced reflection of China’s evolving soft power strategy.
Note: Subsequent articles will cover this scribe’s impressions of Chongqing, Kashgar and Urumqi, delving into the local cultures, regional development and frontier innovation.
—The writer, Retired Group Captain of PAF, is author of several books on China.
(sultanm.hali@gmail.com)
