China-Pakistan earth sciences center inaugurated

The China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences — a high-level scientific and technological innovation platform between the two countries — was inaugurated on Wednesday, according to co-founder, the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The center was jointly established by the two countries in 2019, with its headquarters at Quaid-i-Azam University, in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

It will serve as a national platform for China-Pakistan science and education cooperation, covering research areas including tectonics, environment, ecology, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman of Pakistan's Higher Education Commission, the other co-founder, said that scientists from China and Pakistan have already carried out fruitful exploration and cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, and exchanges.

Experts from the CAS provided timely and effective assistance to Pakistan last year in response to the massive flood disaster, he added.

Ahmed expressed hope that the inauguration of the center would further expand cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in the fields of science, technology, and education, and achieve fruitful results.

Zhang Yaping, vice-president of the CAS, said that the establishment of the center is important for the academy to address the impact of climate change and natural disasters as well as promote the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The academy will work with all partners to carry out closer pragmatic cooperation on scientific and technological issues related to the Belt and Road Initiative, while strengthening the region's ability to respond to natural disaster risks and boosting sustainable development.