ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a dialogue have emphasized China’s unique national modernization and the importance of the China Pakistan All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
According to a press release the China Pakistan Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and Xinhua News Agency jointly organized the Hong Ting Forum: Dialogue in Islamabad titled “Understanding China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and Chinese-Style Modernization Development Path.”
Experts from the diplomatic community, think tanks, academia, and civil society attended the event.
Bureau Chief Xinhua News Agency, Jiang Chao, during his remarks said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both China and Pakistan, the friendship between the two countries has stood the test of time. He went on to say that comprehensive reform and promoting the Chinese style modernization under the 18th CPC Central Committee has led to a new milestone.
Deputy Director Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Mudassar Iqbal, lauded China’s people centered approach towards modernization. He added Pakistan also desired to follow a similar approach to development and modernization. He noted that China’s sustainable and ecological development is also a beacon light that can serve as a model for developing countries including Pakistan.
Associate Professor Bahria University Islamabad, Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, in his remarks stated that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the buckle of the belt in the Belt and Road Initiative. He noted the developing nations can also adopt the Chinese path for development and modernization.
Senior Anchorperson, Farrukh Pitafi, stressed that storytelling has always been crucial in building positive narratives and that the China story has always been a part of national narrative of Pakistan. He added that it is high time that media of both countries start retelling the story of Pakistan-China ties.
He strongly believed that a comprehensive CPEC media must include in its objective to help Chinese people understand Pakistan and vice-versa.
Associate Professor Quaid-i-Azam University, Dr. Salma Malik, in her views said that the Chinese modernization is entrenched in Deng Xiaoping’s key principles which included rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, envisioning a new type of the development of Communist Party’s own principles and strengthening China’s position at the international level.
Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of China in Pakistan, Shi Yuanqiang, in his remarks said that continuous reforms and opening up is a key in the development path of China. He went on to say that Premier Li Qiang’s recent trip to Pakistan marks another major step in enhancing the China-Pakistan All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
Former Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Ambassador Masood Khalid, in his keynote address said that China has made major developments to the world including building the Great Wall, introducing meritocracy and building the great canal system. He said China’s development journey has been marked with the economy growing from $2.286 trillion in 2005 to $18 trillion today. He added that the China-Pakistan friendship is a special high priority relation and any attempts to sabotage it is bound to fail. He noted that Pakistan can learn a lot from the Chinese approach to modernization.
Dr. Talat Shabbir in his remarks stated that China and Pakistan shared a history of extraordinary ties that have matured into a comprehensive, multi-faceted, economic, partnership addressing the political, strategic, and cultural aspirations of both nations.
He noted President Xi Jinping’s Chinese-style modernization offers invaluable lessons for Pakistan.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI, in his closing remarks, stated that Chinese development is a path of constant struggle and reform.
