ISLAMABAD - Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said yesterday China was a true and reliable friend.
He said Pakistan and China would continue consulting each other on all issues of regional and global importance for adopting a common approach to tackle all challenges.
Addressing Beijing Forum here at the National University of Science and Technology, he said together “we would contribute to building a harmonious region, through mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilisations and pursuit of common development.”
Aziz said Pak-China friendship has deep historical roots and is built on absolute convergence of interests. “Chinese people also consider Pakistan to be their closest friend and ally,” he added.
Referring to the forum ‘China and Pakistan in the Community of Common Destiny for All Mankind, the Advisor said this dream could be achieved through enhanced regional connectivity and integration.
Trans-national roads, rails, oil and gas pipelines, institutions of higher learning, centres of excellence of scientific innovations and better performing financial sector would be real drivers of growth, he added.
Aziz said Pakistan and China were now celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. “It gives me immense pleasure to note that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, our friendship has continued to grow from strength to strength in an upward trajectory. It is termed as a model state-to-state relationship,” he said.
He recalled the words of Chinese President Xi Jinping during his address to the National Assembly in April 2015, when he said: “Pakistan and China have worked together to further strengthen the existing traditional friendship between the two countries by fully leveraging the geographic proximity and economic complementarily for building the China-Pakistan Community of Shared Destiny. We should also lead the way in building a Community of Common Destiny in Asia.”
He said the concept of ‘community of common destiny’ coined by President Xi Jinping was a very bold vision and can become the recipe for achieving world peace through development and common prosperity. “Common development and win-win cooperation holds the key. China and Pakistan, through their exemplary ties, can provide a road map for realising this vision,” he said.
Aziz said Pakistan was strategically located at the confluence of three vital regions of the world - South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia. Pakistan provides the shortest access to the sea for all the landlocked countries of Central Asia and to western China, he added.
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said, was the flagship project for realising this vision. By linking the Gwadar port via the Karakoram Highway with Xinjiang, the CPEC is a transformational project for the economies of the two countries, he said. “CPEC can also be a catalyst for regional economic integration which is the main objective of building a community of shared destiny. The CPEC will also complement China’s broader vision of building a Silk Road economic belt and Maritime Silk Road in the 21stcentury. It would be a factor for stability and prosperity in the region with the potential to alleviate poverty and create employment,” he maintained.
The emerging mechanism of the SCO, with new members, will enable us to ensure mutual security and shared prosperity in the region. Pakistan shares the same geographical and cultural fabric as other SCO members, he said.
We also commend the Chinese initiative and leadership in transforming the multilateral financial system by establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
The Bank’s openness and inclusiveness reflect its multilateral nature. Its desire to welcome all regional and non-regional countries, developing and developed countries has promoted its image as an equitable, fair and democratic institution. The Silk Road Fund and the BRICS Bank can also contribute to these objectives.
One of the biggest challenges to global peace and security is the scourge of terrorism. Terrorism is also a common enemy of Pakistan and China. Our two countries are determined to fight the evil forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism. Over the years, he said: “Our two countries have been cooperating successfully to frustrate terrorists bent upon undermining our security. Pakistan and China are entwined so closely that any move to hurt China’s security in Xinjiang hurts us simultaneously. Our solidarity in this regard is rock solid.”
He added: “China recognizes the tremendous sacrifices Pakistan has made in the war against terrorism. We deeply appreciate China’s support to our efforts to uphold our sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”
He said China’s leadership was crucial to lasting peace and stability that South Asia so desperately needs.
“We have great admiration and respect for the sagacious policies pursued by China to promote regional peace and stability. Pakistan has always supported the One China policy. The Pakistan government fully supports China’s great cause of national unification and all the efforts of the Chinese government in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Aziz said.
President Mamnoon Hussain also addressed the Beijing forum. He said Pak-China friendship was shining example for the entire world.
The President expressed the confidence that bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China is vital for progress and development of the region.