Pakistan, China friendship vital for security

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that during the last one year Pakistan and China have identified more than 50 new initiatives for joint collaboration and signed more than three dozen MoUs. This he said during an interview with Guangming Daily, one of the largest newspapers of China at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday. He said that the world admires the all round development China has achieved. Being a longstanding friend, Pakistan is naturally keen to learn from the Chinese experience.

However, the extent and depth of our political and diplomatic relations have not been fully reflected in our economic ties.

The President while appreciating Chinese growth and development said that China has made stupendous economic progress and achieved spectacular growth during the last 10-15 years. There is a lot to learn from the Chinese model of economic development particularly the model adopted in its provinces of Zhejiang and Guangdong. The progress made by China in agriculture particularly in hybrid seed and optimal utilization of water is something that can be emulated in other countries as well wherever possible. While responding to a question about his visits to China, the President said that during all his visits, he focused on familiarizing himself with the Chinese experience of growth and development.

I have been impressed by all round development your great country has achieved. One is inspired by the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people and wise stewardship of its leaders. I think there is a great deal Pakistan can learn from the Chinese experience and its development model.” He said. “The goodwill must act as a precursor for adding greater commercial and cultural content to the economic and public diplomacy between the two countries”, the President added. The President said that Pak-China friendship spans over half a century and is based on a very high degree of trust and commonality of interests. The foundations of a strong friendship with China were laid by the visionary policies of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and he played a pioneering role in building the edifice of this relationship. Prime Minister Bhutto’s vision as a statesman is best illustrated in his role as the architect of Pakistan’s strategic cooperative relations with China, he noted. “As a matter of fact it has matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership, is of great mutual benefit and of special significance for Pakistan’s security and economic development.”

The real challenge is how to actualize the great potential of economic cooperation between the two countries. The trajectory of future relationship is clear. The two countries will continue to cooperate for promotion of global and regional peace, advancement in the science and technology, improvement in the living standards of our respective people and fight against environmental degradation. This relationship will grow stronger and stronger with each passing year.

We have resolved to take this partnership to greater heights”, the President observed. When asked about Pakistan’s stance over situation in Xinjiang province, the President said that the Government of Pakistan fully supports the Chinese Government’s efforts to maintain social stability, peace and ethnic harmony in Xinjiang and indeed throughout China. “We fully support the Chinese Government efforts to promote the development of Xinjiang Autonomous Region as part of China’s Western Development Strategy”. Pakistan fully supports China’s policy of social harmony and development which is producing great results for all Chinese people.