Beyond mountains and seas: from early struggle to the Chinese dream

Islamabad, 21 October 2026: The China Program at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), in collaboration with China Media Group (CGTN Urdu), held a seminar titled “Yan’an Journal: A Dialogue Beyond Mountains and Seas.” Mr. Chen Peng, Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan, attended as Guest of Honour. The panel featured Mr. Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD), and Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, Associate Professor at Bahria University, Islamabad.

The seminar was moderated by Senior Research Analyst and Head of the China Program at IRS, Nabila Jafer. In her opening remarks, she noted that 2026 marked the 90th anniversary of the Long March of 1934–35, a defining episode in modern Chinese history, as well as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

She observed that the idea that every generation has its own Long March ran through the film featured at the seminar and invited the panelists to reflect on how the values of perseverance, unity, integrity and service to the people guides the vision for Party building in the New Era and China’s broader goals of national rejuvenation, harmony between humanity and nature, and a community with a shared future for humankind. Describing Pakistan–China friendship as exemplary, she said the seminar offered another opportunity to deepen mutual understanding beyond mountains and seas.

The seminar opened with a 20-minute documentary produced by CGTN Urdu. The film follows international visitors, including Mr. Ramay, as they retrace the Long March and visit Yan’an, recalling the hardships endured by the Red Army before turning to contemporary China. Among the stories it features is that of a young graduate who returned home to expand his family’s apple business through e-commerce.

In his message on the occasion Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi stated that preserving historical heritage is not limited to safeguarding historical sites and artefacts; it is equally important to pass on the experiences, stories, and values that shape a nation’s identity to future generations. Emphasizing the importance of highlighting historical events such as the Long March through documentaries , he noted that such initiatives play a vital role in conveying history and the associated spirit of commitment, sacrifice, and perseverance to the younger generation.

Shakil Ramay said the Chinese maxim that every generation has its own Long March reflected a genuine commitment to a cause, the people and the country. Of the 86,000 people who embarked on the historic march, he said, only about 6,000 survived.

The Long March, he argued, helped forge a new Communist Party of China, instilling ideological commitment, fearlessness, equality between leaders and comrades, discipline and a distinct collective identity. He cited the rules of conduct laid down by Chairman Mao Zedong for the Red Army—including speaking politely and paying for anything taken—as examples of a people-centred approach.

Turning to the present, Ramay said the current generation’s responsibilities included building a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics, advancing national rejuvenation, strengthening ideological commitment and national identity, and promoting a community with a shared future for humankind. These ambitions, he said, required sustained efforts to strengthen Party building in the New Era. He also urged Pakistani students pursuing higher education in China to learn the Chinese language.

Dr. Hassan Daud Butt stressed that dialogue between nations should be candid and open, and that lasting friendship depended on mutual understanding. Such engagement, he said, needed to extend beyond official meetings to include cultural centres and the media.

Reflecting on China’s transformation over fewer than four decades, Dr. Butt attributed its progress to pragmatic leadership, policy continuity, a vision shared by the public and a whole-of-government approach. He cautioned that development alone could not guarantee peace, but argued that inclusive development could provide a stronger foundation for it. He also underscored the middle class’s role as an engine of economic growth.

Counsellor Chen Peng thanked IRS for organising the seminar and highlighted the historical significance of the Long March. He described the construction of the Karakoram Highway in the 1960s as another long march—one undertaken jointly by China and Pakistan. About 130 Chinese engineers lost their lives during its construction, he said, with 88 buried in a cemetery in Gilgit.

Chen characterised the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), launched in 2013, as a further stage in the two countries’ shared journey. He said 43 projects had been completed, attracting approximately US$25 billion in investment. Seventeen energy projects had added 8,900 megawatts of electricity-generating capacity and created about 200,000 direct jobs.

CPEC, he added, was now entering its second phase, with a focus on industrial cooperation, modern agriculture, the digital economy and green energy. He also noted that the Khunjerab Pass remained open throughout the year and that approximately 36,000 Pakistani students were studying in China.

During the question-and-answer session, a participant asked how Pakistan’s younger generation could draw inspiration from the spirit of the Long March. Mr. Chen said harmony and peace lay at the heart of Chinese culture and that success depended on uniting ordinary people around a shared belief.

The panelists urged young people to embrace struggle and hard work, emphasising the importance of transforming information into knowledge and wisdom. Dr. Butt identified productivity, long-term policy continuity and skills development as essential to progress, urging Pakistan’s youth to set their sights on 2047 as a milestone for a more prosperous country.