HYDERABAD, Sept 30: Speakers at an international seminar on Thursday said China being a ‘non-predatory’ state has never exhibited “winner take all approach” in foreign affairs.

They said the progress made by China was an example for the world as it was based on dedication, hard work and discipline of the Chinese people.

The seminar “Pakistan-China Relations in Changing Regional and Global Scenario” was organized by the Area Study Centre for Far East and South-East Asia at the University of Sindh on Thursday.

Sindh Education Minister Dr Hamida Khuhro stressed the need for forming a block comprising countries of South Asia, China and Iran.

She said these countries should jointly work for welfare of their people.

Dr Zhang Guihong, deputy director and associate professor of the Institute of International Studies of China’s Zhejiang University in his paper on “US-India Strategic Cooperation: Implications for China” said that relations between India and the US had taken a dramatic turn and reached new heights.

Prof (Dr) D. Varaprasad Sekhar of the Chinese Studies Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawahr Lal Nehru University, in his paper on “Civilian Technology Transfer in Sino-Pak Relations” said the second half of the 20th century witnessed the largest technology transfers that the world had ever seen — a process which was essentially led by the developed countries.

Ambassador (Rtd) Khalid Mahmood in his paper on “Pak-China Relations: Economic Dimension” said Pakistan and China had enjoyed very close relations in political, strategic and security fields.

Prof (Dr) Zhang Li of the Sichuan University in his paper on “Sino- Pakistani Relations: Potentials, New Issues and Emerging Trends”, said over recent years, there had been speculations about a judgment of perceived China’s shifting approach towards South Asia.

“This has a critical bearing on long-term Sino-Pak partnership and makes it quite necessary to redefine, clarify and reassure the bilateral relations across a broader strategic spectrum and in diverse dimensions”, he said.

He said with improving Sino-Indian ties since 1990s and complicated regional setting after 9/11 attacks around the region and beyond, some emerging challenges need to be envisaged both by Beijing and Islamabad.

He said new developments had to be carefully gauged and properly addressed, both regionally and globally.

He said that substantial US presence in South Asia and Central Asia despite its seeming justification and merits, had created new uncertainties.

He said some major areas of coordination and cooperation needed to be further emphasized by China and Pakistan which included economic and security fronts of relationship as a whole.

Dr Maqbool Bhatti in his paper “Security Dimension of Pakistan-China Relations” said Pakistan China relations had become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s policy since 1963 when they signed a boundary agreement.

He said Pakistan-China relations remain critically important to their security as well as to the peace and stability of the region and the world.

Vice-Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui, Prof (Dr) Rafia Shaikh and Dr Lutfullah Mangi also spoke on the occasion.