Pakistan, Xizang agree to deepen cooperation on climate action and environmental protection
BEIJING: Pakistan and China’s Xizang Autonomous Region have agreed to strengthen cooperation in environmental protection, climate change, and sustainable development following a meeting between Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Masood Malik and Xizang Vice Chairman Xu Zhitao.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 5th China-Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation, where both sides explored opportunities to expand collaboration in ecological conservation, scientific research, innovation, biodiversity protection, and mountain ecosystem management.
Welcoming the Pakistani delegation, Xu Zhitao highlighted Xizang’s economic development, cultural heritage, and ecological achievements, saying the region has adopted a development model centred on environmental conservation. He noted that Xizang is home to 47 national parks and has achieved significant socio-economic progress while maintaining environmental protection as a key priority.
The vice chairman also underscored the region’s cultural and religious diversity, including the longstanding presence of a small Muslim community of Kashmiri origin.
Dr. Malik thanked the Xizang authorities for their hospitality and reaffirmed the strong Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China.
He said Pakistan and Xizang share similar mountainous ecosystems, creating opportunities for greater collaboration through knowledge exchange and institutional partnerships, according to China Economic Net.
During the meeting, both sides discussed enhancing cooperation in climate resilience, scientific research, technological innovation, biodiversity conservation, and the protection of fragile mountain ecosystems.
They also explored prospects for collaboration in traditional medicine and research, noting that several medicinal practices associated with Tibetan medicine are also found in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, offering potential for joint academic and scientific initiatives.
Dr. Malik expressed confidence that expanded cooperation in climate action, environmental protection, and scientific research would further strengthen the longstanding friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.