Author: Zaman Minhas QAMAR, MH (Pakistan)

The People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan formally established diplomatic relations on 21 May, 1951. In 2026, the two countries mark the 75th anniversary of this historic milestone. Over the past seven and a half decades, China and Pakistan have developed an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership characterised by profound mutual trust, extensive cooperation, and unbreakable friendship.

Most recently, President Asif Ali Zardari paid a fruitful state visit to China, with stops in Hunan and Hainan. The visit further reinforced our iron-clad ties and opened new avenues for collaboration, including in regions like the Greater Bay Area – where Hong Kong plays a pivotal role.

As a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong actively participates in international cultural and people-to-people exchanges under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework, contributing to the strengthening of friendly ties between China, Pakistan and the international community.

As a Pakistani who has called Hong Kong his home for more than thirty-five years, this anniversary carries profound personal meaning. I am deeply honoured to share my reflections on how far we have come, where we stand today and – most importantly – where we can go together in the years ahead.

A Personal Journey: Three and a Half Decades of Community Leadership

When I first arrived in Hong Kong over thirty-five years ago, the Pakistani community was relatively small, scattered across different districts. Over the years, I witnessed a remarkable transformation. The community grew in numbers and, more importantly, in organisation and confidence.

For the past 35 years, I have humbly served the community on various forums. I served six years as a member of the Equal Opportunities Commission, served as Chairman of the Islamic Board of Trustees, President of the Pakistan Association Hong Kong, Chairman of the Pakistan GBA Chamber of Commerce, and many other organisations in different capacities.

Our Chamber arranged and sponsored Mandarin language classes for ethnic minority (EM) students in different districts to enable them to integrate with Hong Kong's mainstream society. For the past 15 years, I have been giving the "Qamar Minhas" scholarship to EM students in Hong Kong schools.

What kept me going all these years is a simple belief: Hong Kong is our home, and Pakistan remains our soul. I have always advocated to my children and community youths on various forums that Hong Kong is our home; if our home is safe, we are safe. We must protect our home and motherland. Hong Kong's future lies with China, and we are fortunate that Hong Kong is backed by the motherland.

Today, we live as a happy family. All my children studied at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). This fills me with immense pride – not just as a father, but as a community leader. It is living proof that Pakistani Hongkongers can thrive, contribute and belong fully to this city's future.

Hong Kong's Unique Role: Bridging Communities and Economies

Hong Kong has always been a city of connectors. The city is actively expanding new markets in the Middle East to attract capital and tourists. However, collaboration and capital flows require robust connectivity. While serving on various forums, I made close contacts and built strong relations with Muslim-majority countries' consulates in Hong Kong. These relationships have proven invaluable in fostering mutual understanding and facilitating cross-border cooperation.

Similarly, as Chairman of the Pakistan GBA Chamber of Commerce, I have focused on the Greater Bay Area – the future of this region. Through our chamber, we invite Middle Eastern and other investors to explore the enormous opportunities here. The Pakistan GBA Chamber invites you to explore secure, policy-backed investment opportunities in Hong Kong and mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area. Backed by Chinese sovereignty and the "One Country, Two Systems" framework, your capital finds stability in a volatile world.

Having served as the Halal Advisor to the Board of Trustees – Hong Kong's sole halal certifying body – I have been instrumental in enhancing the availability of halal products and services. My efforts directly support the Hong Kong Government's initiative to attract Muslim visitors from ASEAN and the Middle East, contributing significantly to the city's tourism and economy.

The Evolution of Hong Kong-Pakistan Exchanges and a Growing Student Community

The launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) opened new doors. While CPEC's infrastructure projects are centred in Pakistan, Hong Kong quickly found its niche – as a financial hub for BRI-related investments and a legal and arbitration centre for cross-border contracts.

Sports have also become a powerful bridge between our communities. Cricket, a shared passion across Pakistan and Hong Kong, has brought our youth together on local pitches. I have personally witnessed young Pakistani-Hongkongers representing Hong Kong in international cricket tournaments, wearing the Hong Kong flag with pride while celebrating their Pakistani heritage. Similarly, Hong Kong squash events have seen growing Pakistani participation, both as players and as enthusiastic spectators.

Today, approximately 700 Pakistani expatriate students are pursuing their education in Hong Kong's universities, while an impressive 25,000 Pakistani students are studying across the Chinese mainland. This vibrant and growing student community represents one of the most promising bridges between our nations. These young men and women are not just acquiring knowledge – they are building networks, understanding Chinese culture first-hand, and preparing to become future leaders in Pakistan-China relations. Many will return home with Mandarin skills, professional connections, and a deep appreciation for the opportunities that our strategic partnership offers.

Looking Ahead: Hong Kong's First Five-Year Development Plan

For the first time, Hong Kong is developing its own five-year development plan. This is an unprecedented opportunity – not just for Hong Kong, but for Pakistan as well.

While the full details remain forthcoming, early indications suggest the plan will focus on several key areas: financial innovation, technology and AI, the green economy, youth development, and deeper integration with the Greater Bay Area. Each of these areas presents concrete opportunities for Pakistan.

Hong Kong is a global financial centre. Pakistan, with its large and increasingly tech-savvy population, is ripe for fintech partnerships. Opportunities range from mobile payment solutions to Islamic banking products (Sukuk), while also giving Hong Kong firms access to a market of over 240 million people.

The global halal market is worth trillions of dollars. Hong Kong has world-class testing, certification and logistics capabilities. By positioning itself as a halal trade hub for Greater China, Hong Kong could facilitate Pakistani meat, rice, fruits, vegetables and processed food exports to the Chinese mainland and beyond.

Hong Kong's universities rank among the best in Asia. Increased scholarships, exchange programmes, and vocational training pathways for Pakistani students would create a pipeline of future leaders who understand both societies intimately.

Pakistan has a booming IT sector with relatively low labour costs and English-speaking talent. Hong Kong has investors, incubators, and access to the Chinese mainland markets. A formal tech corridor between Pakistan and Hong Kong could be a game-changer.

For the local Pakistani community in Hong Kong – estimated at around 50,000 people – the five-year plan holds great promise. Many second-generation Pakistani youth face barriers in education and employment due to language or perceived cultural differences.

One area that deserves more attention is the role of Pakistani women in Hong Kong's development. Many Pakistani women in Hong Kong are educated yet face barriers to employment due to language, cultural expectations, or lack of networking opportunities. The five-year plan should include targeted programmes for ethnic minority women – such as language classes with childcare support, and incentives for employers to hire diversely. When women thrive, families thrive, and communities prosper.

Conclusion and Hopes for the Future

As I reflect on 75 years of China-Pakistan friendship, I am filled with gratitude and optimism. Gratitude to the leaders, diplomats, and ordinary citizens on both sides who have nurtured this relationship through thick and thin. Optimism because the foundations are stronger than ever, and the opportunities ahead are vast.

For any country or city, security is linked to development, progress, and prosperity. Hong Kong's security situation has improved, and investment has flourished. Under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to be the pearl in this friendship's crown.

To the younger generation of Pakistani Hongkongers – the boys and girls who speak Cantonese at school and Urdu at home, who celebrate both Lunar New Year and Eid, who root for Pakistan's cricket team and Hong Kong's rugby sevens team – I say this: stay proud of your heritage, stay engaged with your community, and never doubt that you belong here, fully and completely. You are not just the future of this friendship – you are its living, breathing present.

Finally, I thank Bauhinia Magazine and the entire team for the honour of inviting me to contribute to this special feature, and for celebrating many more decades of China-Pakistan friendship – with Hong Kong shining brightly as a bridge between our two great nations.

Long live Pakistan-China friendship!

(Mr. Zaman Minhas Qamar is a recipient of the Hong Kong Medal of Honour, current Chairman of the Pakistan Hong Kong & Greater Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. With over 35 years of community service in Hong Kong, he is a prominent voice for ethnic harmony and Pakistan-Hong Kong relations.)