China marks Xi’s 2015 Pakistan trip
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Mr Jiang Zaidong said that ten years back, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Pakistan to launch the multi-billion-dollar project of China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which over the past decade has turned from a vision into a reality.
Addressing the participants of a symposium titled “Jointly Build the China-Pakistan Community with a shared future” held here to mark the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s landmark visit to Pakistan, Amb Jiang Zaidong said that President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan was a historical event and it would long be remembered for cementing China, Pakistan friendship.
Mr Shi Yuanqiang, Deputy Chief of Mission, Chinese Embassy was the moderator of the event while Foreign Secretary Ms Amna Baloch, former ambassador Naghmana Hashmi, Chairman Pakistan, China Institute (PCI) Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and others alos addressed.
He said there are rapid changes at the global landscape and President Xi Jinping recently visited the South East Asian countries and this trip was very important and was filled with hope and joy. He said that the main purpose of the visit was the developing relations with neighbors for profitable environment and exclusive ties with all neighbors of China including Pakistan. He said that abusive tariffs and its negative impact has reinforced China’s focus on its neighboring countries.
He said that China would continue its high quality development especially with its neighboring countries. He said that China’s market would remain fully open for its neighboring countries and we will fully implement the commitment made by President Xi Jinping.
Referring to President Xi Jinping’s visit a decade back, Amb Jiang said that President Xi paid a historic state visit to Pakistan on 20-21 April 2015 and the Pakistani government and people extended their warmest welcome and highest hospitality.
“The 28-hour visit witnessed 18 events and the signing of 51 cooperation documents, it was intensive both in schedule and outcomes. President Xi Jinping, together with then President Mamnoon Hussain and then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, decided to elevate our bilateral relations to a new height of ‘all-weather strategic cooperative partnership’, meaning that we will ‘always move ahead together rain or shine’,” he said.
He said President Xi Jinping also personally charted the overall layout for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These opened a new chapter in our traditional friendship and bilateral relations.
China-Pakistan Tourism Exchange Year, and celebrations for the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations were vibrant,” he added
“China’s tri-service honor guard and the August 1 Aerobatics Team participated in Pakistan Day parade, while VT-4 main battle tanks, J-10CE fighter jets, and 054AP frigates have been commissioned into Pakistani armed forces. We joined hands to combat the once-in-a-century pandemic, protecting the lives of our people. To support Pakistan in responding to its worst floods in a century, China provided $260 million in aid, ranking as the single largest contributor. The two governments signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Promoting Cooperation on the Global Security Initiative (GSI). Security cooperation in various fields have steadily progressed and grown stronger,” he asserted.
Foreign Secretary Ms Amna Baloch said that the China, Pakistan partnership has weathered every storm and we have come a long way now. These interactions serve as a way to foster further collaboration. She said that President Xis visit was instrumental in fostering China, Pakistan ties and CPEC has now become a strong bond.
She aid that Pakistan stands committed to fostering China, Pakistan friendship. There is a shared understanding between two countries in today’s turbulent times. She said we are looking forward to Xi’s new visit to Pakistan as people and leadership stands ready to give him a warm welcome.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Pakistan, China Institute, said that President Xi Jinpings visit to Pakistan ten years back was instrumental in launching the multi-billion dollars project of CPEC which is flagship of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
He said that the historic address of President Xi to joint parliamentary session of the parliament. In his 40-minute speech, President Xi recieved great applaud. Today we are at a different epoch as global balance of power is shifting from left to the east and GDI, GCI and GSI, he said and added that there is no room for tariff war as using tariff or trade as a weapon is not wise.
Former Amb Naghmana Hashmi said that history of Pakistan is studed by historic events of China, Pakistan friendship. She said that the visit of President Xi to Pakistan put the dream of connectivity between Pakistan and China into practical shape. She said that it was also fulfilment of dream of development of western parts of China was due to CPECs announcement.