Faisal Zahid Malik
Editor-in-Chief
Pakistan Observer
Two towering personalities of the globe – President Xi Jinping of People’s Republic of China and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Republic of Turkey – have shared the title of “Man of the Year – 2020” for their legendary qualities of leadership, staunchly defending national interests of their respective countries during challenging times and winning hearts and minds of people of Pakistan for sincere and steadfast support to their country. The award of the title, an annual feature of the daily Pakistan Observer, has been decided after a comprehensive round-the-year exercise carried out by its Editorial Board on the basis of assessment of personality traits, performance, achievements and, in this case, contribution to the cause of Pakistan by personalities at home and abroad. The selection was based on surveys conducted by the Paper’s nation-wide network of bureaus and correspondents; interviews of leaders of public opinion and people representing different shades of opinion; interaction with the diplomatic community and feedback from abroad (especially from China and Turkey) through e-surveys. Normally, the title is bestowed on national figures of Pakistan but this year, after in-depth analysis of the entire material, the Editorial Board came to the unanimous conclusion that President Xi Jinping and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan deserve the coveted title for their visionary leadership, sound domestic and foreign policies and, above all, their clear-headed strategies aimed at expanding and deepening multi-pronged relations with Pakistan. The entire world witnessed an unprecedented crisis triggered by the spread of Covid-19, which not only impacted upon the domestic economic policies and programmes of the countries but also changed the global culture and inter-state relations. The way the world leaders tackled the crisis determined their fate with some losing popularity and others boosting their credentials as the ones who could turn the challenge into an opportunity and President Xi and President Erdogan were on top of the list in this regard. Pakistan also faced daunting socio-economic issues due to the spread of the virus besides challenges on the foreign policy front and it was mainly because of material, political and diplomatic support promptly extended by countries like China and Turkey that the country was able to address them appropriately. China is one of those countries of the world that have no aggressive designs against any other country and is instead upholding the banner of mutual and multilateral economic cooperation for shared progress and prosperity. The historic Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping is a practical demonstration of the strategy China upholds to engage others in peaceful and developmental pursuits rather than to poke a nose into internal affairs of other nations. It was because of development-centric policies of President Xi that the Chinese economy recently surpassed the American economy in size. China’s rise as global ‘economic giant’ under the leadership of President Xi, who has been in power since 2013, is a sore in the eyes of some powers that have been conspiring to undermine its march on the road of progress and prosperity. Those who participated in the survey conducted by Pakistan Observer and those interviewed in the process of selection of the leaders for the title of ‘Man of the Year’ pointed out that consistent propaganda on the issue of human rights, meddling into Hong Kong affairs by some countries, South-China Sea issue, Uighurs issue and sarcastic dubbing of Covid-19 as ‘Chinese Virus’ were all aimed at maligning the great country. However, they observed that the rather cool-minded policy of President Xi towards such provocations has frustrated the designs of the ill-wishers. “China was first country to have been hit by Covid-19 but under the dynamic leadership of President Xi the country was not only able to effectively check its spread but the strategy adopted by China served the only way out till development of immune boosting vaccines and in this effort too Beijing was among the leading countries” remarked a renowned health professional and virologist. The speed with which China was able to control the virus in a population of about 1.44 billion (constituting 18.47% of the total world population) is mind-boggling if seen in the backdrop of helplessness of some mighty and resourceful countries in containing the infectious disease. China also provided material assistance and expertise to a number of countries including Pakistan to tackle the spread of the virus. China also stands tall and prominent as far as the issue of access of third world countries to the newly developed vaccines against Coronavirus are concerned. While other countries are reluctant to share the vaccine with other countries until local requirements are met first, China is more than willing to provide the vaccine to all countries without any discrimination. The policy adopted by President Xi to address the Coronavirus and sharing of the vaccine has raised his stature further in the comity of nations. While commenting on his successful policies, a Beijing-based diplomat described President Xi as a brilliant politician adding that he is leading China to become most advanced country of the world, revived traditional culture and values and launched the most severe anti-corruption campaign in decades resulting into punishment of more than a million “tigers and flies”- a reference to both high and low-ranking party officials. Xi is not publicity hungry and instead believes in practical work aimed at elevating the status of his country in the comity of nations and alleviating sufferings of the common man. Mr Xi has vigorously pursued what he has called a “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” with his China Dream vision. His domestic popularity can be gauged by the fact that his ideas are mentioned by name in the Constitution – an honour that had been reserved only to Mao Zedong until now. Another diplomat referred to a number of developments of the year including Sino-US trade war and uncalled for sanctions against Chinese companies including Huawei and said the credit goes to President Xi for exercising restraint and preventing escalation in regional and global tension. A senior Pakistani official, associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), spoke highly of the steadfast assistance provided by Beijing for all-round development of Pakistan’s economy. He said Pakistan feared bankruptcy due to the tight financial situation arising out of Coronavirus but China provided cash assistance of billions of dollars to bail the country out. At a time when development projects around the world were either halted or their pace slowed down due to Coronavirus, Chinese ensured continuation of work on all CPEC-related projects and the two countries went a step further in embarking upon the second phase of the gigantic initiative. Projects completed under the CPEC framework have started yielding positive impact on socio-economic conditions of Pakistan and the country has already got rid of the menacing power load-shedding – thanks to a number of power projects that are contributing thousands of megawatts to the national grid. Similarly, the decision taken by the two countries during 2020 to expedite work on CPEC-related projects in Gwadar would usher in a new era of development in Pakistan besides improving the lot of people of Balochistan and particularly those of Gwadar. Some countries of the world unjustly pressurized Pakistan especially through the platform of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) but China stood beside Pakistan and helped thwart designs aimed at isolating and tarnishing the image of the country. It provided meaningful support on the issue of Kashmir and engaged in hectic diplomatic activity to help resolve the longstanding problem of Afghanistan through peaceful means. An overwhelming majority of our contributors, whose views helped decide the award of the title for the year, firmly believed that the one man who can be credited with championing each and every cause of the Muslim world is none other than the Turkish President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in the forefront of all those caring about the plight of the Ummah. He stood solidly his grounds when it came to promoting interests of Muslims especially those wronged anywhere in the world. The popularity of the Turkish leader shot up tremendously in Pakistan, among Kashmiris and, in fact, all just-minded people when he spoke in categorical terms on the issue of India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir during his epoch-making address to the UN General Assembly in September 2020. Erdogan, who, along with the then Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohammad, joined with Prime Minister Imran Khan in forcefully raising the issue from the platform of the world body, persisted with his commitment to express solidarity with oppressed Kashmiris by telling the international community (in his 2020 address to UNGA) that Kashmir was still a burning issue and needs to be resolved in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions. He did so despite strong protests by India including threats of trade reprisal. Earlier in February 2020 during his record fourth-time address to Pakistan Parliament, the Turkish President received thunderous applause when he declared, “The Kashmir issue is as close to the Turkish people as it is to the people of Pakistan.” The bold and longstanding principled stand of Mr. Erdogan on Kashmir dispute and his firm stand on issues relating to Muslim community prompted Azad Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan to describe him as a ‘symbol of Islamic renaissance’ adding that Ankara has emerged as a “centre of hope” for the Muslim world. According to a former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Mr. Erdogan was instrumental in developing an all-encompassing special relationship with Pakistan that covers political, defence, strategic and economic dimensions in a comprehensive manner. The importance that Turkey attaches to Pakistan becomes evident from the fact that its Consulate in Karachi is Ankara’s largest Consulate anywhere in the world. Turkey has also backed Pakistan in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, where Pakistan is struggling for an end to apartheid on civil nuclear cooperation and also extends critical support to Islamabad in its bid for removal from the so-called grey-list. People of Pakistan are also grateful to the Turkish President for his sincere efforts for an amicable resolution of the Karkey dispute which helped Pakistan save a $1.2 billion penalty imposed by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). Sentiments of Muslims around the world were badly injured due to publication of blasphemous cartoons in France and comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron on the issue. President Erdogan reacted sharply to this provocation repeatedly condemning his French counterpart and urging his countrymen to boycott French products. The clear-cut stand taken by him further elevated his stature in the Islamic world. In July 2020, he oversaw the conversion of Hagia Sophia – an Istanbul landmark – into a mosque, a move widely acclaimed by Muslims around the globe. He was also categorical in expressing solidarity and extending support to Azerbaijan in its dispute with Armenia and attended a large-scale military parade in Azerbaijan that celebrated its military victory over Armenia. At home, the Turkish President enjoys tremendous support of his people, which became evident when they reacted so sharply and strongly to attempts made to overthrow his elected Government. His policies and programmes have accelerated the pace of economic growth and helped promote Turkish influence in the region and the world. An Ankara-based diplomat said Turkey is being heard seriously in almost all capitals of the world because of its growing economic clout and influence. He referred to a statement the President made in July 2020 that in the next three years, Turkey will be an unstoppable power in the region. Our contributors also pointed out that both President Xi and President Erdogan believe in peaceful co-existence and strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation for holistically sharing fruits of economic development and innovations. We take this opportunity to congratulate the two leaders for their matchless achievements and wish them success in their gigantic agendas of shared progress and prosperity. ****Bullet Points – President Xi and Erdogan – towering personalities of the globe- They staunchly defended their national interests in the face of provocations and won hearts and minds of people of Pakistan- BRI manifestation of peaceful intentions and developmental pursuits of President Xi- China rising as ‘global economic giant’ under President Xi Jinping- Cool-minded policies of President Xi frustrated designs of ill-wishers of China- Xi is not publicity hungry, rather he believes in practical work and delivery as per expectation of his people- Steadfast cooperation of China including implementation of CPEC is helping Pakistan accelerate the pace of economic development- Erdogan a champion of Muslim causes around the world- Erdogan’s forcefully spoke on Kashmir dispute from the platform of UNGA- President Erdogan instrumental in strengthen all-encompassing cooperation with Pakistan- Turkey provided meaningful support to Pakistan at FATF and other forums- Due to its growing influence, Turkey is being heard seriously in all capitals of the world
