Zafar Uddin Mahmood, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on China Affairs and a recipient of the Orchid Award’s Friendship Envoy title, told an audience of diplomats and scholars that China’s transformation was rooted in three pillars: decisive leadership, long-term policy continuity, and a focus on domestic reform combined with international opening. 

China’s success in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty provides valuable lessons for developing countries, Mahmood said, noting that the country’s modernization was specifically tailored to its national conditions rather than following external models. 

The lecture, titled “Friendship Across Mountains and Seas,” comes as China and Pakistan prepare to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Mahmood emphasised that bilateral cooperation has shifted beyond traditional diplomacy into high-quality manufacturing, green technology, and expanded educational exchange. Addressing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mahmood stated the initiative has moved past its initial focus on energy and transport infrastructure. He noted that recent phases have prioritised vocational training and job creation, providing Pakistani students with increased access to technical education. 

The Orchid Lecture Series is organised by the Orchid Award Secretariat and the China International Communications Group (CICG) to facilitate dialogue between international experts and Chinese policymakers. Mahmood, who also serves as a policy advisor to the Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia, called for increased people-to-people exchanges to counter global misconceptions about China’s economic trajectory.