On April 19, the 2025 Asian Human Rights Forum opened at Southwest University of Political Science and Law. During the event, Zamir Ahmed Awan, founding chairman of the Pakistani think tank Global Silk Road Research Alliance, spoke to a reporter from Science and Technology Daily, emphasizing that learning scientific and technological knowledge is a freedom and a basic human right for everyone.
He criticized some Western countries for restricting foreign students from studying cutting-edge science and technology subjects, calling such practices inappropriate. According to Awan, China welcomes students from Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries to study science, technology, and human rights-related disciplines in China. Moreover, it encourages them to bring back the knowledge and experience gained in China to help promote development in their home countries.
He praised this approach, stating that it has effectively advanced the development of science and human rights in Belt and Road countries.