By Wang Xiaotong

BEIJING, Jul 16 (China Economic Net) - Representatives from the Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the University of the Punjab recently held a symposium on the Indus Civilization archaeological cooperation, with scientific and technological archaeological collaboration, the planned establishment of a joint archaeological research center, and talent cultivation as the core agenda.

Symposium on Indus Civilization archaeological cooperation between the Institute of Archaeology, CASS and the University of the Punjab. [Photo provided by CASS]

According to Mei Zhongtang, Party Secretary of the Institute of Archaeology, CASS, the Indus Civilization has long been a key research focus of the institute. The cooperation with the University of the Punjab aims to deepen research on the Harappan Civilization and China-Pakistan cultural exchanges during the early Buddhist period, fostering substantive and sustainable academic dialogue between archaeological communities of the two nations.

Shi Jinsong, Deputy Director of the Institute of Archaeology, CASS, proposed setting up the China-Pakistan Joint Archaeological Research Center at the University of the Punjab. Muhammad Ali, Vice Chancellor of the University of the Punjab, pledged that the university would be committed to providing construction land, office premises and supporting facilities for the center, alongside streamlined administrative procedures, on-site security guarantees and logistics services.

The bilateral partnership dates back to 2018. Led by Tong Tao, the Indus Civilization Archaeology Team at the Institute of Archaeology, CASS, has carried out successive surveys in Pakistan and initiated formal excavations at the Pariwali Site in 2025, making it one of China’s rare long-term archaeological missions conducting fieldwork in South Asia. Going forward, the two sides will leverage their respective strengths in resource sharing, talent development and academic exchanges to deepen cooperation under this project.