2020年10月1日，金强研究员在巴基斯坦杂志《PIVOT》（Volume 2, Issue 4 | 1st Oct 2020，Special Edition）发表了署名文章《Talent Training of Youths promising for mutual understanding》（青年人才培养促进双边互信）。该刊由伊斯兰堡战略研究所中巴研究中心China-Pakistan Study Centre Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad联合主办，为季刊。
英文全文如下:
Talent Training of Youths promising for mutual understanding
Jin Qiang
The traditional friendship between China and Pakistan has withstood the test of time. Talent
training and media interactions between the two countries have been deepening. As the friendship becomes more embodied in people and media, the youth should develop and maintain exchanges further.
Currently, nearly 30,000 young people from Pakistan are living and studying in China. They have a profound understanding of the neighbor, its culture and people, which is evident in their social media posts. Some of them have become social media celebrities with huge fan following. Likewise, Chinese students studying in Pakistan are also sharing their best moments and warm feelings about the country using their social media accounts.
Pakistan’s media system – rather Westernized in a way – has distinct Islamic characteristics. Young people, in particular, can use platforms like Facebook and Twitter to share their opinions and voice their concerns regarding international issues, which not only increases opportunities for them but also brings challenges. However, China has its own rules and regulations for the media to observe.
Younger Pakistani generation, especially those who have worked in Pakistan’s media industry, come to China for post-graduate and doctoral degrees in media. Their observations and experiences while living in China is helping them to introduce new ideas and provide wisdom for in-depth media communication between the two countries.
Some media students who have obtained PhD degrees in China have returned to Pakistan to teach. Different from the teachers who have obtained similar degrees in European countries and the United States, they will add more Chinese elements to their daily teaching, which is what China and Pakistan urgently need for their in-depth media personnel training.
Deepening cooperation between media organizations will enrich media products. News programs provide some timely and important information. However, this is far from being enough.
In the era of digitalization and multilateralism, people of China and Pakistan have all the possibilities to understand each other through the media of entertainment and infotainment like movies, books, music, food and culture, and not just through breaking news.
Moreover, the impact of negative information cannot be ignored. For example, too much emphasis on information about disasters can harm people’s cognitive performance. At present, the number of tourists capable of visiting the two countries is still small, and the scenes of large tour groups have yet to reappear. Therefore, the two countries should deepen their introductions to each other gradually but frequently, which will leave the impression of ‘still waters running deep’.
More importantly, relevant perspectives from Pakistani and Chinese angles should be added to international themes, as diverse viewpoints are needed to balance Western perspectives. The perspectives of two countries can be complementary and integrated.
Islamic and Confucian civilizations have a very friendly history of communication. Many thinkers have incisive discussions on the interactions and exchanges between the two civilizations. All of these can be applied further to today’s China- Pakistan exchanges.
Of course, to do a good job in communication also requires making good use of new technologies, relying on young people and being more vigorous and flexible in the specific content planning and presentation. For example, the vast majority of Pakistani students who have studied in China are using WeChat to communicate with friends after returning home. The relatively high efficiency in communication indicates a broader space for cooperation.
With an increasing number of talented people versed in the two cultures, it is possible to produce content that people of both countries would enjoy. Think tanks in both countries should produce some fresh content that can help improve their performance for the relevant research results in varied cultural arenas such as films, TV programs and publications.
With its fast development and keenness for cooperation, Pakistan has an increasingly important status in the Islamic world. Its vigor and vitality of the close neighbor is like a fountain of creativity and excitement for Chinese artists and industrialist. China is constantly weaving and realizing the ‘Chinese Dream’
Few years back, some friends of mine discussed the idea of co- producing a movie to promote similar cultural values to attract the audience in both the countries. Despite many differences, there are some similarities in the cultures of the two countries. One concern was to avoid themes that might be considered as taboos in the other culture.
In the era of digitalization and multilateralism, people of China and Pakistan have all the possibilities to understand each other through the media of entertainment and infotainment like movies, books, music, food and culture, and not just through breaking news.
Among the films on both countries, Heavenly Road is based on a real-life story, which reflects the mutual support and assistance between the people of China and Pakistan and a mood for harmonious, friendly and warm relationship. Another film, titled Batie Girl, tells the fascinating story of a Chinese girl Lu You and a group of Pakistani teenagers for ‘redeeming each other’.
The trend of cultural exchanges through film industry between China and Pakistan has just begun. There is an urgent need of cultural understanding and productions that match the cultural norms of both countries.
Young people can make good use of each other’s media to further nurture friendship between our countries. This is quite like what many young people say, ‘Just speak it out when you love her.’
With its fast development and keenness for cooperation, Pakistan has an increasingly important status in the Islamic world. Its vigor and vitality of the close neighbor is like a fountain of creativity and excitement for Chinese artists and industrialists. China is constantly weaving and realizing the ‘Chinese Dream’. It is certain that the two countries will share a brighter future by working hand in hand.
(作者单位：河北大学跨文化传播研究中心 河北大学伊合组织研究中心）
