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    Xi Jinping Hosts the Historic Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

    Written by: Zoon Ahmed Khan
    Posted on: May 16, 2017 | | 中文

    Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Chinese President Xi Jinping (source: Indian Express)

    The Belt and Road Summit held in Beijing from 14th to 15th May 2017 concludes on a high note. State leaders from 29 of the 65 countries that are part of the Belt and Road Initiative, and representatives from over 100 countries attended the summit to endorse President Xi’s new globalization strategy. With greater connectivity between Europe, Asia and Africa, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to make the shared destiny of these regions as its purpose for win-win cooperation. From Pakistan alone, Chief Ministers from all four provinces under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s leadership attended, making a statement of true solidarity. Senator Mushahid Hussain, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of CPEC, also graced the event along with Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Khwaja Saad Rafique among others. Given that China Pakistan Economic Corridor is the flagship project of China led cooperation spanning all Eurasia, this level of participation by the Pakistani delegation has strengthened the resolve and political will between the Iron Brothers to make this a success story.

    Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang - The Belt and Road Summit 2017 in Beijing

    Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang

    The overarching theme of this year’s Belt and Road Summit was “people-to-people ties”. China’s ambitions to spread the gains of infrastructure and industrialization to a region comprising 60% of the world’s population have been fueled by the impetus to accomplish true win-win cooperation. But win-win for whom? At the heart of these projects for deeper integration lie the people. While state leaders and representatives seemingly symbolize the interests of the economic and political blocs, the end goal of these developments is to provide greater opportunities and better livelihood to ordinary people. How does the increasing cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad, and that between the 60 countries that are part of this groundbreaking initiative, connect the people? For in China’s philosophy of modernization, development and cooperation, all belts and roads must lead to the people.  China has the unprecedented achievement of having already lifted 600 million out of the poverty trap.

    (L-R) Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Song Tao, Minister for International Department of the Communist Party of China

    Therefore, with remarkable emphasis on people-to-people ties, China’s plans for this century represent a marriage between the political, economic and social needs of our time. Russia, Turkey and Pakistan, three players of strategic importance for China, have collectively emerged as key partners for Beijing as the turns in favor of the Global South. The signs of Pakistan’s inclusion in this power bloc were becoming increasingly apparent with Moscow’s bid for Pakistan’s permanent member status in the Shanghai Corporation Organization, and recent convergence in security cooperation. In light of Russia’s strategic relationship with India for decades, this unlikely partnership with Pakistan is a notable tilt in Moscow’s policy. More winners from the win-win partnership series include Central Asia, East Asia, the Middle East and African nations, which have supported China’s vision. Even Latin American countries with a history of connectivity with China, have expressed their desire to become part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

    The Pakistani delegation - The Belt and Road Summit 2017 in Beijing

    The Pakistani delegation

    The rise of an Asia ready to unite in order to take charge of its own destiny is not exclusive to the Global South. President Xi’s invitation was extended to leaders from Europe and the United States, but received a lukewarm response. Even though European countries are significant stakeholders in China’s economic development and globalization plans, their hesitation to become frontrunners in this new-age globalization is dampened by traditional alliances.

    As the much anticipated Belt and Road Summit comes to a dramatic end, little doubt remains of China’s growing political clout and emergence as a global leader. The vision promulgated by this new diplomacy of shared destiny, respect for sovereignty and focus on people, has in a sense revolutionized the global order. The endorsement of over 100 countries has stoked this energy. Questions remain regarding the nuances and technical challenges in actualization of this vision, but the needed political will demonstrated by the success of the BRI summit stands as a firm foundation. Winners of this development start with China, Russia, Pakistan and Turkey all across Eurasia and Africa. However, it is also important to note that both India and US’ economic cooperation with China has been on the rise. India has become one of the largest beneficiaries of Chinese FDI, with exponentially increasing trade. Similarly, despite political differences, the US and China boast a strong trade and FDI relationship. Therefore, it would be wise to note, that China’s clout neither begins nor ends with the Belt and Road initiative.

     

    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