Pakistan, China Launch Information Corridor to Counter Misinformation

Pakistan and China have launched CPIC to expand media, business, think-tank and cultural cooperation while addressing misleading narratives.

Pakistan and China have introduced the China-Pakistan Information Corridor (CPIC), a new framework aimed at expanding cooperation across media, commerce, research and cultural exchanges while addressing misleading information about the two countries.

The initiative was formally launched in Islamabad at a ceremony attended by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.

Tarar said the initiative reflects a long-standing desire to strengthen collaboration in media, information sharing and digital communication. Drawing a comparison with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said CPEC helped connect the two countries through physical infrastructure, while CPIC would seek to build stronger links between their people and information networks.

The framework will operate through four areas: media, business and enterprises, think tanks, and culture and tourism.

Under the media component, 18 Pakistani and Chinese organisations will participate in a news exchange working group. The participating organisations include state and private broadcasters as well as Chinese outlets such as Xinhua, China Media Group and People’s Daily. A fact-checking mechanism will also be established to identify misleading narratives and provide factual responses.

The business pillar will bring together commercial organisations from both countries. A regional office is planned for Karachi, while a trade portal is being developed to provide information on trade, investment and foreign direct investment. Podcasts featuring Chinese entrepreneurs operating in Pakistan and Pakistani entrepreneurs in China are also planned.

Research cooperation will be developed through the Pakistan-China Institute and partner think tanks, with joint research, publications and dialogue involving Chinese institutions.

The cultural component includes work on a tourism corridor linking Xinjiang with Gilgit-Baltistan. The first group of CPEC Youth Ambassadors has also been selected from 13 Pakistani universities.

Mao said both countries face challenges from misinformation and fake news, adding that CPIC’s four areas could help present a clearer picture of bilateral cooperation.

The launch followed recent Pakistan-China discussions on strengthening bilateral engagement, including a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Ambassador Jiang to review CPEC-related developments.