A momentous advancement

Pak-China Dosti Zindabad
Zindabad... Zindabad... Zindabad...
Pak-China Xu-Yi Wang Soye
Wang Woye... Wang Soye... Wang Soye
Pak-China Dosti Zindabad
These were the lines we used to sing during our childhood. If I’m not mistaken, the poet of these lyrics is Jamil-ud-Din Aali and the music was composed by Sohail Rana.
When I read the news about the wonderful step taken by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK) and the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), these heart-touching lines came rushing back to me. I started to hum them softly, almost in a whisper. I feel fortunate to be a part of NAVTTC, contributing to empowering Generation Z by imparting valuable skills.

The China-Pakistan Job Fair 2025 was held on May 27, 2025, at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad. With strong support from the Chinese Embassy, the event aimed to expand vocational employment opportunities for Pakistani youth.
The friendship between China and Pakistan is often described as "higher than the mountains, deeper than the ocean, and sweeter than honey." It is one of the most enduring and strategically significant relationships in Asia. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1951, the two countries have strengthened ties through mutual support in defence, economics, culture, and education.

China’s growth over recent decades has been remarkable. With a population of around 1.4 billion and vast resources, China’s economic achievements deserve serious attention. Despite being sidelined by Western powers until the 1970s, Deng Xiaoping’s reforms revitalised China’s role in the global economy. Today, China’s steady and enduring growth continues, although it remains sensitive to global economic shifts and international relations, especially with the United States.

China has consistently supported Pakistan in defence cooperation, including joint production of fighter jets like the JF-17 Thunder. On international platforms such as the UN, China has stood by Pakistan on critical issues like Kashmir. Likewise, Pakistan supports China’s positions on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet. Cultural exchanges, scholarships, and tourism have further strengthened people-to-people bonds between the two nations.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, skilled education plays a vital role in shaping individuals and societies. It goes beyond traditional academic knowledge by teaching practical abilities that prepare people to meet the demands of real-life jobs and industries. Skilled education equips learners with hands-on experience and specialized talents, making them more adaptable and competitive in the workforce. Nowadays, the age-old debate between skills and formal education has taken on new significance. Is formal education the only path to success, or can honing practical skills offer equally promising futures? With technological and industrial landscapes transforming so fast, this question has become more relevant than ever.

Vocational education and training are widely recognised as key drivers of economic development globally. In China, a country guided by collectivist ideology, this connection is especially evident in government policies. The Chinese government has been committed to building a high-level skills education and training system. Responding to economic transformation and industrial modernisation, the Chinese State Council and the Ministry of Education have released several policies to stimulate skill development. Today, nearly 10 million skilled workers are trained annually in China’s modern vocational education framework.

It is truly inspiring that Pakistan’s NAVTTC has recently partnered with Chinese organisations to enhance vocational training in Pakistan.
In December 2024, NAVTTC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s TANG International Education Group to establish the China-Pakistan Technical and Innovation Cooperation Education Center (CPTICE). This center aims to provide advanced technical education, aligning training with modern industrial demands and fostering innovation within Pakistan’s workforce.

The recent China-Pakistan Job Fair 2025 is the next milestone in creating more opportunities to develop skilled individuals. The event featured participation from 20 leading Chinese companies and offered over 500 job opportunities to skilled Pakistani youth. This initiative highlights the commitment to boosting employment and strengthening bilateral ties through workforce development.NAVTTC also facilitated agreements between 20 vocational institutions in Karachi and the Chinese company TANG. These agreements focus on training youth in IT and digital skills to build a “smart labor” force equipped for the challenges of the modern economy.
China’s support extends beyond training: it has provided hundreds of vocational schools with technical equipment valued at approximately Rs. 500 million. This contribution significantly enhances the capacity of Pakistan’s vocational institutions to deliver quality education and training.

These collaborative efforts between NAVTTC and Chinese partners are crucial in advancing Pakistan’s vocational education, fostering skill development, and opening doors to meaningful employment for our youth.
I want to take a moment to sincerely wish all the very best to everyone involved in the job fair organised by NAVTTC and TANG in Islamabad. This event represents more than just job opportunities – it symbolises hope, growth, and the incredible power of a community coming together to uplift one another.