Pakistan-China Institute

What Pakistan-China Institute does

Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) is a private, non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-political think tank founded in October 2009 and headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan, under the chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed. It operates as the first policy think tank exclusively dedicated to Pakistan-China bilateral relations and regional connectivity, with a stated mission to build people-to-people ties across diplomacy, defense, education, energy, economy, and environment. PCI serves government and diplomatic communities, academia, media professionals, and youth/students in both Pakistan and China.

PCI's core offerings are organized into three layers: (1) digital platforms and publications, including the CPEC Info Portal (cpecinfo.com, built with China Radio International), Youlin Magazine (a bilingual English-Chinese monthly launched February 2012), Nihao-Salam.com (daily Sino-Pak newsfeed), and a monograph/research series; (2) educational and event services, including a Chinese language training program in Islamabad and Lahore delivered with the Confucius Institute, the recurring CPEC Media Forum series, the Friends of Silk Road (FOSR) conference platform, and documentary production; and (3) institutional research infrastructure, anchored by Research and Development International (RDI), a joint think tank established in 2015 with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the China Institute for Reforms and Development (CIRD).

The institute operates a non-commercial model, with services provided as part of its public-interest mission rather than priced products. Its sustainability is anchored to partnerships with Chinese state-aligned institutions (Embassy of PRC, CASS, CIRD, Confucius Institute, China Economic Net, PowerChina), international organizations (ACCA, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, CVF-V20, Belt and Road Green Development Coalition, Tsinghua University), and domestic partners such as Bahria University. Headcount sits in the 11-50 range, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Pakistan-China Institute

Legal name

Pakistan-China Institute (PCI)

Website

https://pakistan-china.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) is a non-governmental, non-partisan think tank founded in 2009 in Islamabad, dedicated to promoting Pakistan-China bilateral relations, CPEC policy research, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties. It serves governments, academia, media, and youth via publications, language programs, conferences, and the joint RDI think tank.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and International Relations Think Tank Services

NAICS

National Security and International Affairs (9281), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC)

Keywords

• Policy research services
• International relations think tank
• Bilateral diplomacy research
• Cultural exchange programs
• Language training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Islamabad

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pakistan-China Institute is a non-governmental, non-partisan think-tank that produces policy research, publishes bilingual media (Youlin Magazine, Nihao-Salam.com, CPEC Info Portal), and delivers educational programs on Pakistan-China bilateral relations and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It also offers Chinese language training through its Confucius Institute partnership and operates the CPEC Media Forum and Friends of Silk Road (FOSR) conferences as flagship platforms for Track 2 diplomacy.

Product overview

Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) operates as a non-governmental think tank and research organization offering a portfolio of digital platforms, educational services, and knowledge products focused on Pakistan-China bilateral relations and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The core offerings include: the CPEC Info Portal (cpecinfo.com) for corridor information dissemination; Youlin Magazine (youlinmagazine.com), a bilingual English-Chinese cultural publication; Nihao-Salam.com for daily Sino-Pak news coverage; and the Chinese Language Program providing Mandarin instruction in Lahore and Islamabad via Confucius Institute partnership. PCI also produces research publications including policy papers on green development, ESG frameworks, and CPEC analysis, alongside a Monograph Series covering regional connectivity topics. The institute operates the CPEC Media Forum as an annual event platform and houses Research and Development International (RDI), a joint think tank with CASS and CIRD. The Friends of Silk Road (FOSR) initiative serves as a flagship forum for conferences on Belt and Road cooperation and youth development. Together, these offerings position PCI as the principal non-governmental platform for promoting Pakistan-China people-to-people ties in defense, diplomacy, education, energy, economy, and environment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CPEC Portal: Flagship CPEC information portal developed in collaboration with China Radio International to disseminate information about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
• Youlin Magazine
• Nihao-Salam.com
• Friends of Silk Road (FOSR)
• Research and Development International (RDI)
• Learn Chinese Program

Products and services

• CPEC Info Portal (cpecinfo.com) A flagship CPEC information portal developed by PCI in collaboration with China Radio International to disseminate information about and enable stakeholder connectivity with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
• Youlin Magazine Pakistan's first and only bilingual website (English and Chinese), promoting contemporary Pakistani culture and society to audiences in China and globally, with themes covering theatre, film, art, literature, music, food, sports, travel, and philanthropy.
• Nihao-Salam.com A daily rapid newsfeed website providing sustained coverage of China and developments in Sino-Pak relations via e-newsletter, focused on being the premier source of news on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
• Chinese Language Program Chinese language training program offered in Lahore and Islamabad in collaboration with Confucius Institute, designed to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills with a focus on professional application; has produced 300+ graduates with 100% HSK Level I pass rate across 15+ batches.
• Monograph Series: Corridors, Culture and Connectivity A monograph series covering regional economic integration, geostrategic significance, and socio-cultural dynamics in Asia, with topics including CPEC's impact on Balochistan, energy sector, security threats, and women's role in CPEC.
• CPEC Media Forum An annual forum series bringing together media professionals, diplomats, and stakeholders to discuss the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and counter misinformation; nine editions organized to date in collaboration with China Economic Net and Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
• Research and Development International (RDI) A joint think-tank established by PCI, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and China Institute for Reforms and Development (CIRD) to promote policy research on CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative.
• Friends of Silk Road (FOSR) A flagship initiative organizing conferences, dialogues, and forums on China's Five-Year Plans, Belt and Road Initiative, and Pakistan-China cooperation opportunities for youth and economic development.
• Research Publications and Policy Reports Policy papers, white papers, and reports covering topics including Green BRI, CPEC analysis, energy sector studies, ESG frameworks, and bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.
• Documentaries Documentary productions including 'Rising China' in English and Urdu, CPEC-related documentaries, and coverage of diplomatic events and anniversaries.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300 graduates from Chinese language programs with 100% HSK Level I pass rate
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Belt and Road Green Development CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2025Pakistan-China Institute became the first Pakistani organization to sign an MoU with the Belt and Road Green Development Coalition to promote green development and the greening of CPEC second phase.
• Tsinghua University School of EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025PCI collaborated with Tsinghua University to organize Pakistan-China Green Development Dialogue on the sidelines of PM Sharif's visit to Beijing, focusing on green development opportunities.
• Climate Vulnerable Forum - Vulnerable Twenty Group of Finance Ministers (CVF-V20)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2025Landmark MoU signed to strengthen cooperation on climate resilience, sustainable development, and environmental governance. Partnership aims to leverage expertise and resources to address climate challenges and advance sustainable economic development in Pakistan.
• ACCA PakistancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2017MoU signed to promote greater understanding of Pakistan's financial sector evolution through research in Pakistan and China, focusing on BRI stakeholders. Joint report 'Economic Benefits of the Modern Silk Road: CPEC' launched March 2018.
• Confucius InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Chinese language training programs in Lahore and Islamabad. Confucius Institute provides trained teachers and learning materials for PCI's language courses.
• Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint establishment of Research and Development International (RDI), a joint think-tank dedicated to promoting policy research on CPEC and Belt and Road Initiative. RDI co-chaired by Senator Mushahid Hussain and Madam Zhao Baige.
• China Institute for Reforms and Development (CIRD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in establishment of Research and Development International (RDI) think-tank along with PCI and CASS.
• China Radio InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in development of CPEC Portal (cpecinfo.com) as flagship project to disseminate CPEC information and enable stakeholder connectivity.
• Embassy of People's Republic of ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration for organizing CPEC Media Forums, cultural events, book launches including 'The Governance of China' by Xi Jinping, and other Pakistan-China cooperation initiatives.
• Konrad Adenauer StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on publications including travelogue 'Travels Across the Silk Road' by Professor Li Xiguang and Post-Conference Book on Islamabad Trilateral Dialogue on China-Afghanistan-Pakistan.
• PowerChinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on launching groundbreaking report 'Aligning Special Economic Zones Policies of Pakistan and China' focused on greening SEZs and CPEC 2.0 development.
• International Culture Exchange Association of XinjiangcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with PCI to produce Youlin Magazine, a monthly bilingual publication dedicated to developing deeper understanding of Chinese civilization among Pakistanis.
• Bahria UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Chinese language course delivery at Bahria University Islamabad campus, offering evening classes for professionals.
• China Economic NetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for organizing CPEC Media Forums, bringing together media professionals from Pakistan and China to discuss CPEC developments and counter misinformation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pcipakchina
• Facebookfacebook.com/pakchinainstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pcipakchina

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pakistan-China Institute