The 2026 Dialogue with the Future for Global Youth from Sister Cities was launched at Chinese Nanjing University, bringing together international student representatives, Chinese and international experts, young entrepreneurs and cultural figures from 57 countries.

Centered on the theme “Mutual Learning in Technology and Culture – Co-creating a Sustainable Future,” young people from across the globe gathered and issued a youth advocacy, adding a new chapter to sister-city friendship in the name of youth, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday.

Pakistani students actively participated in the dialogue alongside their peers from around the world.

Syed Khaliq Shah, a Pakistani student at Southeast University, shared his reflections. “What inspired me the most was the energy and passion of the young people here,” he said.

“The event showed me that friendship between cities isn’t just about agreements on paper – it’s about real connections between people and sustainable scientific innovation.”

Another Pakistani student, Saad ur Rehman, drew on his study experience in China and cultural background to offer his thoughts on technological innovation and cross-cultural exchange.

Both students noted that the event broadened their international perspectives and strengthened their commitment to becoming ambassadors of friendship between China and Pakistan.

From June 12 to 13, the international student representatives will travel to Wuxi, Jiangsu province, to visit high-tech enterprises and explore pathways for integrating technological innovation with green development.

Syed Khaliq Shah and Saad ur Rehman at the 2026 Dialogue with the Future for Global Youth from Sister Cities, photo provided to GP

According to the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu has established 376 pairs of international sister cities with 71 countries worldwide, including a sister-province relationship with Punjab Province of Pakistan, with the agreement signed in 1993.

This long-standing friendship has laid a solid foundation for people-to-people exchanges over the past three decades.

Building on this provincial-level partnership, several cities in Jiangsu have also forged ties with their Pakistani counterparts. Both Xuzhou City and Nanjing City have established sister-city relations with Lahore.

More such relationships are currently being promoted between other cities of the two countries.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China