China Announces Scholarships and Training for 3,000 Pakistanis

China has announced that it will offer 3,000 training and study opportunities to Pakistani citizens between 2025 and 2029. This decision comes under a new bilateral cooperation plan that aims to strengthen ties between the two countries.

The announcement was made during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Beijing, where both sides agreed on the China-Pakistan Action Plan (2025–2029). This plan is designed to boost cooperation in several key areas, especially in science, technology, and human resources development.

A major focus of the plan is human capital development. Both Pakistan and China believe that investing in people’s skills and knowledge is the best way to build a strong future. For this reason, the two countries have decided to launch joint research programmes in different fields of science, both applied and theoretical.

As part of this collaboration, new state-of-the-art laboratories will be set up under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These labs will work on important global and regional challenges such as disaster prevention and early warning systems, small hydropower projects, climate change, air pollution control, renewable energy, food security, modern agriculture, healthcare, and artificial intelligence (AI). By addressing these issues, both nations hope to find innovative solutions that benefit not just their own people, but also the wider world.

The plan also places a strong emphasis on talent exchanges. Pakistani researchers, scientists, and management experts will get opportunities to study and train in China through different programmes. These include the Talented Young Scientist Programme, the International Technical Training Workshop for Developing Countries, the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative, and the CAS-ANSO Scholarship. Such opportunities will allow Pakistani professionals to gain advanced knowledge, work with international experts, and bring new ideas back home.

In addition to this, the two countries will work together under the Belt and Road Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation Action Plan. This will involve specialized projects in areas such as spatial information technology, artificial intelligence, and traditional medicine. Another important area is marine science and energy resources, where Pakistan and China plan to conduct joint surveys and research on offshore natural gas hydrates while also improving cooperation in marine technology.

Cybersecurity and data security are also included in the plan, reflecting the growing importance of the digital world. Both sides will share expertise and build capacity to make sure they are prepared for future challenges in this area. Along with this, there will be initiatives for mutual recognition of engineers, vocational training, employment promotion, and the development of social security systems, which will directly benefit workers and professionals in Pakistan.

Through these measures, China aims to support Pakistan in building its scientific, technological, and human resource capacity. Experts believe this cooperation will strengthen academic and professional linkages between the two nations. In the long run, it is expected to bring economic growth, better job opportunities, and improved living standards for the people of Pakistan while further deepening the friendship between the two countries.

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