FOREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi surely had a reason to celebrate when, during his interaction with the media after the conclusion of the Prime Minister’s visit to China, proudly announced that the delegation received more warmth than its expectations.
He elaborated that during meetings with the Chinese leadership the two sides discussed ways and means to move on the economic front, enhance market access, bridge the trade imbalance and increase Chinese investment in different areas.
The outcome of the visit, once again, showed that positive results can be achieved provided preparatory work is done in a proper way and concrete proposals are presented before the other side in a persuasive manner.
The most important aspect of the PM’s visit was that substantive issues were discussed, understanding reached and a follow-up mechanism devised to advance the shared objectives of economic progress and prosperity and bilateral cooperation.
The Board of Investment (BoI) deserves credit for identifying areas and projects where the Chinese companies could get benefits through investment and as a consequence a number of companies not only expressed their willingness to make substantial investment in Pakistan but also some of them entered into formal understanding with Pakistani counterparts in this regard.
Prime Minister Imran Khan held meetings with about twenty prominent state and private companies in which their authorities had identified interests over investment in key areas of Pakistan’s economy.
Similarly, in their meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to strengthen institutional links at all levels, cementing mutual strategic, diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries and appreciated the finalization of a number of agreements and memorandum of understanding in the fields of trade, infrastructure, industrial development, agriculture modernization, science and technology and socio-economic well-being of local people.
In the backdrop of consistent reports about slow progress in implementation of the projects under the framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the resolve expressed by the two leaders to fast track the second phase of the historic initiative would go a long way in bringing the two countries still closer in diverse fields.
One hopes this understanding would lead to start of practical work on the strategically important ML-I, which has the potential to accelerate socio-economic development of the country, and acceleration of work on some of the ongoing but crucial projects that are directly linked to fuller operationalization of Gwadar port.
In this regard, it is important to note that the two sides agreed to jointly accelerate the construction and operation of Gwadar Port and build Gwadar low-carbon circular industry zone.
They agreed to build high-quality livelihood projects for the socio-economic development of Gwadar city and its residents which assumes special significance in the backdrop of recent protests by local people to press for protection of their economic rights.
The Chinese President, true to his commitment of developing a comprehensive partnership with Pakistan, expressed his determination to take the relationship to new heights and the Pakistan Prime Minister welcomed increased Chinese investment in the second phase of CPEC that centred on industrialization and improving people’s livelihoods.
As the CPEC is progressing ahead, a number of local and foreign hostile forces are at work to undermine the initiative and, therefore, the leadership of the two countries vowed to safeguard CPEC from all threats and negative propaganda.
The understanding to expand bilateral trade also augurs well but it is hoped that the Pakistani side, under the guidance of the seasoned Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, would work meticulously to enable the country to benefit from the opportunities so offered by increasing competitiveness of our products and improving their quality as per international standards.
Pakistan is an unfortunate victim of nuclear and defence cooperation apartheid and with this in view people of Pakistan are thankful to the Chinese leadership for their deep commitment to strengthen defence ties with Pakistan rightly considering it as a guarantee of peace and stability in the region.
At a time when some influential countries are engaged in attempts to malign Pakistan unduly on the issue of fight against terrorism, China has recognized the country’s sacrifices and efforts in counter-terrorism.
The Chinese side also reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and security, as well as promoting its socio-economic development and prosperity, which is a source of satisfaction for people of Pakistan.
