By Zafar Hussain

BEIJING, July 21 (China Economic Net) – Pakistan's Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, met with Xu Zhitao, Vice Chairman of Xizang Autonomous Region, on the sidelines of the 5th China-Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation, with both sides agreeing to expand collaboration in environmental protection and sustainable development.

Welcoming the Pakistani delegation, the Vice Chairman briefed the minister on Xizang’s history, economic progress, and cultural heritage, highlighting a development model built around ecological conservation. He noted that the region, home to 47 national parks, has witnessed remarkable socio-economic transformation in recent decades while keeping environmental protection at the heart of its development strategy. He also pointed to Xizang’s cultural and religious diversity, including the historical presence of a small Muslim community of Kashmiri origin.

Dr. Malik thanked his host for the warm hospitality and reaffirmed the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China. He observed that Pakistan and Xizang share similar mountain ecosystems and stand to gain significantly from knowledge-sharing and institutional partnerships.

The two sides discussed avenues for cooperation in climate change, scientific research, innovation, mountain ecosystem conservation, and biodiversity protection. They also noted the potential of traditional knowledge systems, observing that several medicinal practices associated with Tibetan medicine are familiar in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, opening doors for academic and research collaboration.

Dr. Malik expressed confidence that closer cooperation in climate action and scientific research would further deepen the enduring friendship between the two countries.