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Pakistan Studies/The Pakistan Research Center at Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences is an academic and cultural exchange platform dedicated to promoting friendship, mutual understanding and practical cooperation between China and Pakistan. Since its establishment, the Center has focused on strengthening people-to-people exchanges, advancing Pakistan-related studies, supporting educational collaboration, and contributing to the international development of Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences.
Guided by the spirit of China-Pakistan friendship, the Center introduces Pakistan’s history, culture, society, education, development achievements and contemporary transformation to Chinese students, scholars and the wider public. At the same time, it serves as an important bridge for communication between Chinese and Pakistani universities, research institutions, cultural organizations and enterprises.
The Center currently has five researchers, three external experts and two staff members based in Pakistan. Professor Tang Jun is responsible for the daily operation and academic coordination of the Center.
The Center aims to build a professional, open and sustainable platform for China-Pakistan cooperation in education, culture, research and social development. Its mission is to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries, encourage academic dialogue, support youth exchanges, and contribute to the development of Pakistan studies in China.
The Center also plays an active role in promoting the internationalization of Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences. Through academic research, international conferences, language education, translation projects, cultural activities and overseas cooperation, the Center provides students and faculty members with broader international perspectives and practical opportunities for cross-cultural learning.
The Pakistan Research Center was jointly established by Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences and the Embassy of Pakistan in China. A Council was set up to provide guidance, evaluation and strategic support for the Center’s work. The Center operates under an executive director responsibility system. The executive director is fully responsible for the Center’s daily management, academic planning, project implementation and external cooperation, and reports to the Council.
This structure ensures that the Center can maintain academic independence, efficient management and close cooperation with partner institutions in both China and Pakistan.
The Center carries out work in several key areas.
First, it promotes cultural exchange between China and Pakistan. The Center organizes cultural events, academic lectures, public talks and youth exchange programs. It also supports the translation and publication of important books and materials related to Pakistan, helping Chinese readers better understand Pakistan’s history, society, culture and development.
Second, the Center conducts Pakistan-related research in cooperation with universities and research institutions in both countries. It organizes seminars, conferences and academic forums, and invites Chinese and Pakistani experts and scholars to share research findings and exchange ideas.
Third, the Center supports educational cooperation. It has helped send Chinese language teachers and volunteers to Pakistani partner institutions, received Pakistani students at Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences, and promoted student exchange and language learning programs.
Fourth, the Center conducts research on Pakistan’s national conditions, regional development, education system, cultural traditions and China-Pakistan cooperation. Its researchers have published papers, completed research projects and participated in academic conferences in China and abroad.
Fifth, the Center continues to develop its website and public communication channels. Through online platforms, publications and public activities, it introduces the Center’s work, strengthens links with Chinese and Pakistani institutions, and promotes long-term cooperation among universities, research organizations, enterprises and cultural groups.
The relationship between Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences and Pakistan began before the official establishment of the Center. In September 2010, the College and Little London Honder English School donated funds to areas in Pakistan affected by severe flooding. The donation ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, marking an important beginning of friendship and cooperation.
In October 2010, the College library established the “Masood Hall,” which displayed books, cultural items and valuable photographs donated by the Embassy of Pakistan in China. This collection became an important symbol of the friendship between the College and Pakistan and provided valuable materials for students and researchers.
From 2011 onward, the College began to organize visits, teacher exchanges and educational cooperation with Pakistani institutions. In April 2011, a delegation of 25 teachers and students visited Pakistan at the invitation of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the visit, the delegation visited government departments, universities, primary and secondary schools, and signed memoranda of cooperation in education and exchange.
Between 2011 and 2016, the College sent several groups of Chinese language teachers and volunteers to Pakistani institutions, including Aitchison College and the National University of Modern Languages. These programs supported Chinese language teaching in Pakistan and created valuable opportunities for young Chinese teachers to gain international teaching experience.
On March 1, 2013, the Pakistan Research Center was officially established. Since then, the Center has become an important platform for academic research, cultural exchange and international cooperation. It has hosted and participated in numerous academic conferences, organized cultural activities, supported translation projects and built partnerships with universities and institutions in Pakistan and other countries.
Over the years, the Center has maintained close academic exchanges with Pakistani universities and research institutions. Its members have participated in conferences on China-Pakistan relations, regional connectivity, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, education cooperation, cultural exchange and sustainable development.
The Center has also cooperated with institutions such as Government College University Lahore, the National University of Modern Languages, the University of the Punjab, the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies in Islamabad, and other academic organizations. Through these partnerships, the Center has promoted joint research, academic publication, conference participation and scholar exchanges.
The Center has also taken part in academic activities organized by Chinese universities and research institutions, including Peking University, Sichuan University, China University of Geosciences, Hebei Normal University and Kashgar University. These activities have helped the Center connect with other Pakistan studies institutions in China and contribute to the development of country and regional studies.
Translation and publication have been important parts of the Center’s work. The Center has translated and introduced important works related to Pakistan, international relations and China-Pakistan cooperation. These publications have helped Chinese readers gain a more comprehensive understanding of Pakistan and the history of China-Pakistan friendship.
In 2018, the Chinese translation of From a Head, Through a Head, to a Head was officially published by World Affairs Press after completing the required review procedures. The publication marked an important achievement for the Center in the field of international relations studies and translation. The book provided valuable historical materials and perspectives on China-Pakistan relations and international diplomatic history.
The Center has also undertaken and planned other translation and publication projects related to Pakistan’s society, regional development and international relations. These efforts have strengthened the Center’s academic influence and enriched Pakistan studies in China.
The Center attaches great importance to people-to-people exchange. It has organized lectures, Pakistan cultural events, student meetings and exchange activities to help Chinese students understand Pakistan more directly.
In 2021, the College held its first “Pakistan Culture Day.” Representatives from the Embassy of Pakistan in China attended the event and visited the College’s historical exhibition areas and the Masood Hall. The event created a warm atmosphere for cultural exchange and further deepened the friendship between the College and Pakistan.
The Center has also continued to offer the course “Introduction to Pakistan,” which has become an important general education course at the College. In 2025, more than 900 students selected the course, making it a major platform for students to learn about Pakistan’s history, culture, society, education and international cooperation.
Through classroom teaching, lectures, cultural activities and exchange programs, the Center has helped students develop international awareness, cross-cultural communication skills and a deeper understanding of China-Pakistan friendship.
From 2021 to 2023, the Center continued to expand its academic and international cooperation. It signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies in Islamabad. Both sides agreed to carry out cooperation in political, economic, social, strategic, diplomatic and regional studies, as well as academic publication, training and research projects.
During this period, the Center organized and participated in a series of online and offline conferences, including events on the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Pakistan cooperation, sustainable development, higher education, cultural exchange and regional connectivity.
In 2023, the Center jointly established a China-Pakistan research center alliance with the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and successfully held its first alliance meeting. This initiative further expanded the Center’s cooperation network and created a new platform for academic communication among Pakistan studies institutions.
The Center also continued to promote research projects and academic achievements. Several college-level research projects were completed, while new research topics were launched in areas such as China-Pakistan cultural exchange, CPEC studies and regional cooperation.
In 2024, the Center made important progress in research, academic cooperation and public communication.
In March 2024, the international Chinese language teaching project “A Chinese Journey through Pakistani Culture,” supported by the Center and approved by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, successfully passed final review and was officially completed. This project combined Chinese language education with Pakistani cultural content and provided a meaningful example of innovative international Chinese language teaching.
In June 2024, the Center participated in the Third Belt and Road Academic Seminar in Horgos, Xinjiang. The seminar focused on high-quality regional economic development, Belt and Road cooperation mechanisms and international academic collaboration. The Center’s participation strengthened its links with universities, research institutions and international cooperation platforms.
In the same month, representatives of the Center visited the Embassy of Pakistan in China to discuss future cultural and educational cooperation. The Center also continued to receive support from Pakistani partners for cultural and academic exchange activities.
In June 2024, the National Academic Seminar of Pakistan Research Centers and the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Urdu major at Peking University were held at Peking University. Professor Tang Jun delivered a presentation on the history and current development of the Pakistan Research Center at Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences. The presentation introduced the Center’s international cooperation platforms, publications and academic achievements, drawing strong interest from participants.
In October 2024, the book China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: A Decade of Transformation across Pakistan: Regional Impacts and Progress, edited by the Center, was launched at an academic event jointly organized by Pakistani and Chinese partner institutions. The book examines the regional impact of CPEC and reflects the Center’s continuous attention to Pakistan’s development and China-Pakistan cooperation.
In November 2024, the Center was invited to participate in the writing project for the book series Building a Modern Inner Mongolia. Together with relevant research institutions in Inner Mongolia, the Center contributed to the volume on building an open Inner Mongolia. The Center included the College’s Pakistan-related exchanges as a representative case, highlighting the significance of international cooperation in local higher education development.
In 2025, the Center continued to strengthen its research capacity, academic platform building and international cooperation.
Throughout the year, the Center organized and promoted the application and management of research projects at national, regional, municipal and college levels. A total of nine research projects were submitted, covering topics such as Pakistan studies, China-Pakistan cultural exchange, regional development, international cooperation and the opening-up of Inner Mongolia. Three projects were successfully approved, showing the steady improvement of the Center’s research system.
The Center also continued to manage ongoing research projects. College-level, regional and municipal projects progressed smoothly according to plan. The research project on the current development of Pakistan studies institutions in Chinese universities completed final review and received its completion certificate. Another municipal social science project on digital empowerment and cultural heritage was also successfully completed in September 2025.
The key social science project Building an Open Inner Mongolia entered the publication stage in 2025. After several rounds of revision and review, the project officially moved forward toward publication by Social Sciences Academic Press. The project received significant funding support and included the College’s Pakistan-related international cooperation as an important case.
The Center’s academic output also continued to grow. In 2025, researchers of the Center published 17 academic papers, reaching a new high in the Center’s development history. This achievement demonstrates the growing academic vitality of the Center and lays a stronger foundation for future high-quality research.
In February 2025, representatives of the Center participated in a high-level exchange event in Beijing and had the opportunity to present the Center’s research achievements and international cooperation progress. This further enhanced the Center’s academic visibility and external cooperation network.
In May 2025, the Center participated in a cultural exchange event at the Embassy of Pakistan in China. The event included a photography exhibition and thematic discussions, further promoting cultural understanding and people-to-people friendship between China and Pakistan.
Also in May 2025, the National Academic Conference on Pakistan Studies was held at Sichuan University. Professor Tang Jun delivered a presentation on Pakistan studies and cooperation strategies. The presentation received positive attention from participating scholars and representatives.
On May 29, 2025, the Center participated in the Third International Conference on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor held at China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. Professor Tang Jun delivered a report on the strategic significance of Sindh Province in the first phase of CPEC, analyzing regional development and future cooperation prospects.
On August 6, 2025, the Ambassador of Pakistan to China visited Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences with a delegation. The Center participated in the reception, discussions and exchange activities. The visit further deepened educational and research cooperation between the College and Pakistani partners.
In September and October 2025, the Center participated in several online international seminars on China-Pakistan relations, regional cooperation and multilateral development. These activities expanded the Center’s academic network and strengthened its role in international dialogue.
On November 6, 2025, the Center held its annual academic lecture on campus. Professor Tang Jun delivered a lecture on Pakistan studies and regional development, promoting the integration of teaching and research and providing students with a broader academic perspective.
The Pakistan Research Center at Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences will continue to promote China-Pakistan friendship through academic research, educational cooperation, cultural exchange and public communication. It will further strengthen partnerships with Pakistani universities, research institutes, cultural organizations and international academic platforms.
In the future, the Center will continue to improve its research quality, expand international cooperation, support student development and contribute to the internationalization of Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences. By building a bridge of knowledge, friendship and cooperation, the Center will play a more active role in promoting mutual understanding and long-term partnership between China and Pakistan.
