BEIJING / China : Monitoring Desk -Pakistan would follow Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision to focus on progress and prosperity by avoiding conflicts and cited immense Chinese progress and projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI).
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said this at the Pakistan-China Friendship and Business event co-organized by Pakistan Embassy in China, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and China International Cultural Communication Center (CICCC) held in Beijing today.
The event was also attended by senior members of the Prime Minister’s entourage and a large number of prominent Chinese dignitaries, officials, academics, think-tank experts and businesspersons.
Prime Minister participated in the signing ceremony of MoUs regarding increasing cooperation in various fields between Pakistan and China.
A memorandum of understanding was signed regarding the production of solar panels. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the project to manufacture Y-to-O tractors.
MoU between Pakistan’s Habib Rafiq Limited and Beijing Global Hydrogen Industries Company Limited, MoU between Pakistan Board of Investment and Institute of Structural Economics, Peking University regarding promotion of CPEC were also signed.
Pakistan in the World – JAN 2024
In his keynote address at the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, which was based on mutual respect, strategic trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Emphasizing the historical and civilizational ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister noted the special and unique character of Pakistan China friendship that had withstood the test of time.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of multilateralism and international law for international peace, security and development. He appreciated China’s approach of cooperation and dialogue, particularly with the countries of the developing world, through a journey of common understanding and shared prosperity.
The Prime Minister appreciated President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a Shared Future for Mankind and its related initiatives including Belt and Road Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative and Global Civilizational Initiative. He complemented these initiatives for providing practical solutions to the challenges of peace, security and development facing the contemporary world.
Highlighting CPEC as the major plank of Pakistan’s economic reform agenda, the Prime Minister said that CPEC presented a success story of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and a solid foundation for Pakistan’s economic development. He expressed confidence that the next phase of CPEC would serve to further deepen the Pakistan-China strategic partnership.
The Prime Minister urged the Chinese investors and businesspersons to make use of the investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially with the establishment of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that offers one-window solution to international investors. He called for practical and mutually beneficial cooperation in priority areas of mining, ICT and agriculture.
Will put in our sweat and blood to make Pakistan great country by following Chinese model: PM
Prime Minister reiterated his resolve to make Pakistan a great nation and regain its position by following the Chinese development model through utmost hard work and a sharp focus on industrial and agricultural progress.
“If we follow the Chinese model, I have no doubt, Pakistan will regain its position in the comity of nations and will be respected like our Chinese brothers are done by friends and foes… We will follow your model, work hard untiringly, put in our sweat and blood, and make Pakistan a great country”.
The prime minister who is in China on a five-day official visit, advised the Pakistani people against being dejected or losing hope rather than standing up and accepting the challenge to reach the level of Chinese progress within a few years or decades.
He said the China-Pakistan friendship had no parallel in the world which remained unshakeable and unreachable even during the storms, wars, and earthquakes.
Recalling the Chinese journey of swift development to become the second biggest economic and military power under President Xi’s vision, Prime Minister Shehbaz said it was achieved only through hard work and untiring efforts.
“All Pakistanis will also have to pass through this thorny process. There is no other way to earn respect in the world,” he remarked.
Pakistan in the World – Feb-March 2023
China took its trade to trillions of dollars while Pakisan’s hovered around $30-40 billion in terms of exports. Besides, China has excelled in information technology and artificial intelligence. He also referred to the “wonderful” bilateral cooperation in space program as Pakistan recently sent a lunar satellite and a space satellite recently with Chinese collaboration.
Referring to the sad and gruesome attack by TTP killing five Chinese workers in Besham in April, Prime Minister Shehbaz condemned the incident and conveyed his deepest condolence to the families of those who were killed.
He said the incident which sent a shock wave across Pakistan was the nefarious plot of enemies of China-Pakistan friendship and CPEC as well as those who did not want to see bilateral ties rising to the apex of glory.
“I want to make a solemn pledge that whatever is humanly possible, we will put in all measures and arrangements to protect the lives of every Chinese citizen in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, KP, GB and AJK. I want to make a solemn commitment that the security of Chinese nationals will be more than that of my own and my children,” he assured.
Pakistan China Sign MoUs in agriculture, labour-intensive manufacturing industry, digital economy, green economy and logistic ecosystem
