ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Mr Jiang Zaidong on Monday said that ten years back, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan to launch the multi-billion-dollar project of China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which over the past decade has turned from a vision into a reality.
Addressing the participants of a symposium titled “Jointly Build the China-Pakistan Community with a shared future” held here to mark the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s landmark visit to Pakistan, Amb Jiang Zaidong said that President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan was a historical event and it would long be remembered for cementing China, Pakistan friendship.
Mr Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Chief of Mission, Chinese Embassy was the moderator of the event while Foreign Secretary Ms Amna Baloch, former ambassador Naghmana Hashmi, Chairman Pakistan, China Institute (PCI) Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and others alos addressed.
He said there are rapid changes at the global landscape and President Xi Jinping recently visited the South East Asian countries and this trip was very important and was filled with hope and joy. He said that the main purpose of the visit was the developing relations with neighbors for profitable environment and exclusive ties with all neighbors of China including Pakistan. He said that abusive tariffs and its negative impact has reinforced China’s focus on its neighboring countries.
He said that China would continue its high quality development especially with its neighboring countries. He said that China’s market would remain fully open for its neighboring countries and we will fully implement the commitment made by President Xi Jinping.
Referring to President Xi Jinping’s visit a decade back, Amb Jiang said that President Xi paid a historic state visit to Pakistan on 20-21 April 2015 and the Pakistani government and people extended their warmest welcome and highest hospitality.
“The 28-hour visit witnessed 18 events and the signing of 51 cooperation documents, it was intensive both in schedule and outcomes. President Xi Jinping, together with then President Mamnoon Hussain and then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, decided to elevate our bilateral relations to a new height of ‘all-weather strategic cooperative partnership’, meaning that we will ‘always move ahead together rain or shine’,” he said.
He said President Xi Jinping also personally charted the overall layout for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These opened a new chapter in our traditional friendship and bilateral relations.
During the visit, Amb Jiang said that President Xi Jinping not only held meetings with leaders of Pakistan’s government, parliament, military and political parties, but also warmly received representatives of Pakistani friends and awarded them the Friendship Award of Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
“Moreover, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at Pakistan’s parliament, where he received over 50 rounds of applause (desk-thumping) in 30 minutes. In the speech, President Xi Jinping called for substantiating the China-Pakistan community with a shared future to lead the way in building a community with a shared future in Asia. This has been our fundamental guidance over the past decade, and we have taken solid steps in implementation,” he said.
Firstly, he said, we have supported and helped each other, deepening our strategic cooperation and over the past decade, our heads of state and governments have exchanged visits and met on multilateral occasions for 20 times, with over a hundred other high-level visits and dialogues.
“These provided strategic guidance and strong impetus for the all-weather strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan. We have firmly supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests and major concerns. Pakistan has been an example for the international community in adhering to the One-China Principle, while China has consistently supported Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We have been each other’s most reliable partners,” he said.
Secondly, he said, we have promoted shared benefits while upholding righteousness to achieve common development. Over the past decade, China has remained Pakistan’s largest trading partner.
“The CPEC has turned from a vision into reality. The operational capacity of Gwadar Port has been comprehensively upgraded; power projects, including thermal, hydro, wind, and solar power plants, as well as key transmission grid project had helped Pakistan bid farewell to its power shortages. The Lahore Orange Line Metro had commenced operation, the Khunjerab Pass is now open year-round. The K2 and K3 nuclear power plants had been completed and put into operation, while the C5 nuclear power plant has begun construction. Our central banks have expanded the currency swap agreement, and an RMB clearing bank has started operation in Pakistan. The all-round cooperation between China and Pakistan continues to expand and deepen, significantly enhancing Pakistan’s economic development capacity and resilience,” he added.
“We have linked our hearts as one, and carried forward our traditional friendship. Over the past decade, the number of sister cities/provinces between China and Pakistan has increased from 8 to 19 pairs; their exchanges and cooperation have become more frequent. The number of Pakistani students in China has nearly doubled, ranking high among all countries. We had successfully held the China-Pakistan Friendly Exchange Year and the China-Pakistan Tourism Exchange Year, and celebrations for the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations were vibrant,” he added.
Fourthly, he said we have stood together through thick and thin and jointly addressed security challenges. Over the past decade, we have held high-standard joint military exercises, including the “Warrior” series for the armies, “Shaheen” for the air force s, and “Sea Guardian” for the navies.
“China’s tri-service honor guard and the August 1 Aerobatics Team participated in Pakistan Day parade, while VT-4 main battle tanks, J-10CE fighter jets, and 054AP frigates have been commissioned into Pakistani armed forces. We joined hands to combat the once-in-a-century pandemic, protecting the lives of our people. To support Pakistan in responding to its worst floods in a century, China provided $260 million in aid, ranking as the single largest contributor. The two governments signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting Cooperation on the Global Security Initiative (GSI). Security cooperation in various fields have steadily progressed and grown stronger,” he asserted.
Foreign Secretary Ms Amna Baloch said that the China, Pakistan partnership has weathered every storm and we have come a long way now. These interactions serve as a way to foster further collaboration. She said that President Xis visit was instrumental in fostering China, Pakistan ties and CPEC has now become a strong bond.
She aid that Pakistan stands committed to fostering China, Pakistan friendship. There is a shared understanding between two countries in today’s turbulent times. She said we are looking forward to Xi’s new visit to Pakistan as people and leadership stands ready to give him a warm welcome.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Pakistan, China Institute, said that President Xi Jinpings visit to Pakistan ten years back was instrumental in launching the multi-billion dollars project of CPEC which is flagship of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
He said that the historic address of President Xi to joint parliamentary session of the parliament. In his 40-minute speech, President Xi recieved great applaud. Today we are at a different epoch as global balance of power is shifting from left to the east and GDI, GCI and GSI, he said and added that there is no room for tariff war as using tariff or trade as a weapon is not wise.
Former Amb Naghmana Hashmi said that history of Pakistan is studed by historic events of China, Pakistan friendship. She said that the visit of President Xi to Pakistan put the dream of connectivity between Pakistan and China into practical shape. She said that it was also fulfilment of dream of development of western parts of China was due to CPECs announcement.
She said that due to CPEC Pakistan has got rid of electricity and today Pakistan is energy rich country. She said that China has unwaveringly stood by Pakistan under Xis watch in its hard times.
