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    3rd CPEC Media Forum, Islamabad

    Written by: Staff Report
    Posted on: November 28, 2017 | | 中文

    Chairman PCI, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, presenting a memento of appreciation to H.E. Mr. Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan

    The third China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Media Forum was held in Islamabad on 27th November, 2017. The event was organized by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan. The third media forum was arranged to promote news exchanges and collaborative partnership between the media personnel of the two countries.

    In his welcoming address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed congratulated the Chinese leadership for successfully holding the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. While highlighting CPEC significance, he said CPEC was launched at a time when no other country of the world was ready to invest in Pakistan. He announced that PCI will soon hold media workshops at the regional levels, to draw attention to the far-reaching benefits of CPEC.

    While speaking as the chief guest, the newly designated Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Yao Jing said that CPEC is a priority for Chinese leadership, and he would ensure it gets implemented in letter and spirit. H.E. Yao Jing, who was delivering his first speech at a public forum after his appointment as the new ambassador, said he is proud to have been posted in Pakistan for the third time.

    H.E. Mr. Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan and Senator Mushahid Hussain, Chairman PCI

    H.E. Mr. Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan and Senator Mushahid Hussain, Chairman PCI

    With regards to media, he said that he intends to maintain close and regular interactions with them. He proposed that media representatives should be invited to visit CPEC projects, enabling them to see its implementation, and the socio-economic impact on local people. Jing noted that Pakistani media has always been positive towards China. The embassy of China, he added, will keep facilitating the media in promoting Sino-Pak friendship.

    In his keynote address, the Chief Executive of China Economic Net, Mr. Wang Xudong, said that he hopes the forum will continue promoting media-to-media relationship, and gave several recommendations to make media cooperation more effective.

    Senator Azam Swati and Senator Lt. Gen (Retd) Abdul Qayyum also addressed the audience during the inaugural ceremony. Senator Azam Swati noted that CPEC provides an extraordinary opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their socio-economic partnership, and termed CPEC “the mother of economic revival in Pakistan.” Senator Abdul Qayyum noted that after the 1965 war, when Pakistan was facing restrictions from the West, China stepped forward to help us strengthen our security potential. CPEC is a game-changer, which will uplift the economy of the whole region, he added.

    (L-R) Mr. Hassan Daud, Senator Afrasiab Khattak, Prof. Li Xiguang, Prof. Tang Mengsheng and Mr. Hafiz Tahir Khalil at the  session 'Corridors, Culture and Connectivity.'

    (L-R) Mr. Hassan Daud, Senator Afrasiab Khattak, Prof. Li Xiguang, Prof. Tang Mengsheng and Mr. Hafiz Tahir Khalil at the session 'Corridors, Culture and Connectivity.'

    The second session titled, “Corridors, Culture and Connectivity,” was addressed by renowned academics from China, Professor Tang Mengsheng of Peking University and Professor Li Xiguang of the Tsinghua University, Beijing. They elaborated upon the importance of cultural connectivity in the context of CPEC. Further on, Senator Afrasiab Khattak emphasized the need for promoting close trade and economic ties with regional states, especially Iran and Afghanistan. The Coordinator CPEC from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms, Mr. Hassan Daud gave an insightful presentation on the progress of projects under CPEC. He also shed light on the latest Joint Cooperation Committee, held on 21st November in Islamabad.

    The third session, “Promoting an Information Corridor for Strengthening CPEC,” included eminent journalists of China, Mr. Meng Xianglin, Chief Editor of People’s Daily, and Ms. Wang Lin from China Business News. Ms. Wang Lin said that CPEC is changing Pakistan’s image abroad, and emphasized that the media of both countries should encourage direct reporting, instead of relying on second-hand news. Other prominent speakers for the session were Dr. Shahid Rasheed, the Executive Director of CPEC Centre of Excellence, PIDE, and Mr. Asif Salahuddin, the Editor in Chief of Independent News Pakistan.

    (L-R) Ms. Wang Lin, Mr. Meng Xianglin, Mr. Asif Salahuddin, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Dr. Shahid Rasheed and Mr. Shahji Gul Afridi at session 'Promoting Information Corridor for Strengthening CPEC.'

    (L-R) Ms. Wang Lin, Mr. Meng Xianglin, Mr. Asif Salahuddin, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Dr. Shahid Rasheed and Mr. Shahji Gul Afridi at session 'Promoting Information Corridor for Strengthening CPEC.'

    The session was followed by a discussion between the panelists and Pakistani journalists from the audience. Answering a question, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Zhao Lijian stated that the Pakistani Government made a beneficial deal to acquire 9 percent share of the Gwadar port, and when the port starts earning profits after nine years, Pakistan will get 15% income.

    Pakistani journalist, Mr. Waseem Abbasi, participating in the discussion

    Pakistani journalist, Mr. Waseem Abbasi, participating in the discussion

    In the concluding session, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed launched two research reports of PCI on ‘Facts Vs Fiction of CPEC’ and ‘The Impacts of CPEC on the Energy Sector.’ The event was attended by eminent parliamentarians, journalists, representatives of think-tanks and representatives of Chinese corporations.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021