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China & Pakistan are determined to carry forward the CPEC projects  for win-win cooperation.

An Interview conducted by Mr. Nusrat Mirza ‘Chief Editor Monthly Interaction’

 with Chinese Consul General H.E. Li Bijian, in Karach  on Monday the 29th November 2021.

Through written Questions and Answers

Q.1: What are your views on the historical China-Pakistan relationship?

Answer: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. China-Pakistan relations are a banner of China’s diplomacy over 70 years. Ties between the two countries have developed into an outstanding model of relations between countries with different social systems, histories and cultures over the past seven decades. Looking forward to the future, China and Pakistan would leverage strengths of the traditional friendship, meet challenges together, achieve common development, and build a closer community of shared future in the times to come.

Q.2: Your views on Belt and Road initiative and the importance of CPEC for China, Pakistan and the new global order?

Answer. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a mega-venture by China but the opportunities and deliverables will be enjoyed by the entire world. At present, the circle of friends of the BRI is constantly expanding. 140 countries and 32 international organizations have joined the BRI family, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful deliverables. The cumulative trade volume between China and its BRI partners exceeds US$9.2 trillion. The BRI is an international economic cooperation initiative. It always adheres to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and advocates the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and transparency. It has become the world’s widest and largest international cooperation platform and a popular global public good.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BRI partners have worked together, united and cooperated to strengthen the construction of a healthy silk road, a green silk road, and a digital silk road. A lot of new progress has been made, which has made positive contributions in fighting the pandemic, stabilizing the economy, and ensuring people’s livelihood for all countries. China will continue to work with all parties to jointly build the BRI with high quality, enhance health cooperation, connectivity, green development, and open and inclusive partnerships.

Q.3: Are CPEC project lagging behind, if so what the reasons are for delay? What pressure is CPEC facing from United States, Western World & India?

Answer: Since its launch, the CPEC has brought economic and social benefits to Pakistan that are quite visible for all. Prime Minister Imran Khan considers the CPEC as the top priority for the Pakistani government, and the Chinese government also renders its full support in its successful completion. The construction of the corridor conforms to public opinion, has won the hearts of people and has largely benefited people. It has received great attention and heartfelt support from all sectors of society both in China and in Pakistan.

With the joint planning of the Chinese and Pakistani governments and the joint efforts of the two peoples, the CPEC will continue to steadily promote infrastructure construction, while giving more attention to people’s livelihoods, focusing on industrial and agricultural cooperation, eliminating all external interference, and maintaining the momentum of high-quality development to bring more benefits to the two countries and people.

In the face of some malicious attempts in fabricating false propaganda, turning black into white, and aggressively attacking the CPEC, I firmly believe that the Chinese and Pakistani people will make their voices heard, tell the world what is the truth about CPEC, and show the world that the two sides are determined to carry forward the CPEC projects for win-win cooperation.

Q.4: How have you dealt with economic & political pressures from the West, post COVID-19 Pandemic?

Answer: Our world is now going through difficult and testing times. It is facing the combined forces of a global pandemic and major transformational changes in the world order. The trend of multi-polarity and economic globalization is experiencing transformation, and witnessing a serious contest between multilateralism and unilateralism. The global governance system is going through unprecedented re-adjustment and international peace and security faces serious challenges like never before.

Upholding and practicing true multilateralism in pursuit of a community of shared future for the mankind is the right way forward in tackling complex issues and effectively countering security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional, in today’s world. It is also the only way for putting an end to the zero-sum game and to truly achieve lasting peace and common security. China calls on the International Community to pool joint efforts in this regard.

Q.5: International Think-tanks and intellectuals believe that QUAD and AUKUS will fail and CHINA will rise. Your views?

Answer: QUAD and AUKUS are closed and exclusive cliques informed by the Cold War zero-sum mentality with strong military security undertones. They will spur regional arms race, aggravate tension, and undermine regional unity and cooperation. The US practice of ganging up against a third party runs counter to regional countries’ common aspiration to seek shared development through dialogue and cooperation and advance regional integration. It wins no hearts and has no future. Many countries have questioned and opposed these moves to various degrees.

Q.6: How do you foresee relationships with Pakistan if China becomes a Superpower?

Answer: China will continue to develop its relations with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term perspective, and give Pakistan priority in diplomacy. Since the CPEC was launched, China has become Pakistan’s largest trading partner for six consecutive years and its largest source of investment for seven consecutive years. The CPEC will serve as the pilot project of high-quality development under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. As the protocol of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement has come into effect, the trade liberalization between the two countries has been greatly improved. As President Dr. Arif Alvi said, he hopes that both sides will press “fast-forward button” for the construction of the CPEC. China will continue to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Pakistan. China will provide greater convenience for Pakistan’s exports to China, strive to narrow the trade deficit, and seek balanced development of bilateral trade.

Both sides should join hands to address security risks. The security interests of China and Pakistan are closely related. China will continue to support Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts by helping the country improve its anti-terrorism and security capabilities and ability to better address non-traditional security threats, especially to improve the security of Chinese projects and personnel in Pakistan.

China will build a bridge of friendship and partnership between the two peoples. The cooperation in the fields of art, broadcasting, film and television, publishing and sports is progressing well. This year, both countries held a variety of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, boosting cultural bonds and promoting people-to-people contacts. China and Pakistan should also use multilateral mechanisms to build a better world.

Q.7: Your message to Pakistani People?

Answer: On behalf of the Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China in Karachi, I’d like to extend our warmest greeting with all Iron brothers and sisters of Pakistan.

The year of 2021 is a milestone for both sides. For China, we have brought about a historic resolution to the problem of absolute poverty, realizing the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. It also marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and is the first year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). For Pakistan, she is making every effort to develop its economy and realize Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of “Naya Pakistan”, which provides the two countries with new opportunities to promote cooperation.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Both sides organized a number of activities to celebrate this great occasion. My Consulate is willing to be a bridge between Chinese and Pakistani brothers and sisters in Sindh and Balochistan Provinces, working harder to promote and strengthen the exchange and corporation in economic, technical, social, agricultural, educational, cultural areas. It is believed that with the joint efforts of the two sides, the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership will surely reach a new height, and forge ahead in building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

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