President’s China visit, milestone in Pak-China ties

Courtesy:- S Rahman

President Mamnoon Hussain’s recent visit to China during the CICA Summit can be aptly described as a milestone in the cordial Pak-China ties since it has provided yet another opportunity to both the countries not only to expand their ties but also diversify them.

Although the occasion was used with diplomatic sagacity to hold sideline meetings with the Sri Lankan President and UN Secretary General, as well, Pakistan’s ‘Look China’ policy reverberated quite vigorously during President Hussain’s visit. The fact is that when it comes to China, Pakistani head of state or Pakistani head of government enjoys special status over there because of which even meetings on the sidelines assume greater significance.

In the instant case too, President Mamnoon Hussain’s activities on the sidelines of the summit were multifaceted and a clear endorsement of the fact that both the countries enjoy intertwined, mutually dependable relations.

Take for example Pakistan’s President’s visit to Shanghai and his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping. First of all we should evaluate the statements issued and exchanged on these occasions for instance the statement issued by President Mamnoon Hussain and President Xi Jinping. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the current state of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects and urged for expeditious completion of the already identified and mutually agreed projects on fast track basis. They observed that the gigantic endeavour would turn the entire region into a vibrant trade, energy and economic corridor besides boosting Pak- China bilateral trade to new heights and they emphasised on collective efforts on both sides to ensure that the Economic Corridor projects start yielding tangible benefits to the people of the two countries and the region.

A very significant project within this Economic Corridor framework i.e. Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project has also been finalised during this visit, the agreement being signed by Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, from the Pakistan side. The two Presidents witnessed the signing of this Framework agreement.

There is no denying the fact that the two countries are moving at a very fast pace towards building up an economic-cum-energy-cum-prosperity corridor that is not only going to be beneficial for the people of the two countries but also for the entire region. It is the first cogent and practical step towards the formation of a strong economic zone protected against exploitation by the powers that have imperialist and hegemonic designs and that have been dictating their terms for years and years.

This hegemony factor is rather the root cause of decline in most of the economies of the region, Pakistan being no exception. However, with China’s passionate support and speedy cooperation, the dream of an exploitation-free Asia as well as Pakistan is about to come true in the foreseeable future.

The vision inherent in CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence- Building Measures in Asia) aims at achieving these objectives for the countries of Asia. In this context, President Mamnoon Hussain, while addressing the Chinese President in his Summit address, said, “We are confident that under your able and dynamic leadership, this forum will be further strengthened and continue to translate our common vision for peace and security in Asia, and beyond into a tangible reality. I assure Pakistan’s support to your initiatives in this regard.

I would also like to thank Turkey for its commendable leadership of CICA during the past 4 years. Indeed this forum has grown both in political stature and importance over these years, thanks to Turkey’s tireless efforts.”

Both the Pakistani and Chinese Presidents are absolutely right in opining that the gigantic projects would turn the entire region into a vibrant trade, energy and economic corridor besides boosting Pak- China bilateral trade to new heights.

Certainly, taking Pak-China relations to new heights is the shared goal of the people and governments of both the countries. According to President Mamnoon Hussain, “The government and people of Pakistan highly value their relations with China which are unparalleled in the contemporary era of inter-state relations. Strengthening and deepening friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and there exists across-the-board political and public agreement on maintaining strong equation with China.”

And, as is usual with Pak-China leaders’ meetings, people-to-people contacts also came under focus during the two leaders’ discussion.

Highlighting the significance of people to people contacts, the president said that peoples of the two countries, on the streets, in cities and in villages, have a strong sense of affection and love for each other. He emphasised the need for the two countries to nurture these sentiments among our future generations besides making concerted efforts to promote people to people contacts in the fields of education, culture, art, sports and media so as to anchor bilateral ties on more solid foundations.

In this pivotal area, Chinese intellectuals have already done a remarkable job and that is the publication of the first Urdu-Chinese dictionary.

During the inauguration ceremony of this dictionary at Fudan University, Shanghai, President Hussain said, “In academic sense, the dictionary bridges two languages with distinct roots and traditions and different syntax and grammar and in social and political sense, it strengthens linkages between peoples of Pakistan and China. This effort will also go a long way in consolidating the relationship between China and Pakistan, easing the journeys on the path of development and helping the two countries address the future challenges in a better way.” And one is left with no choice other than commending the President for giving such pragmatic observations on the two countries’ relations as gathered from the following excerpts from President Hussain’s statements: “I am a witness to the friendship of four generations of our leaderships and I am happy that these glowing traditions have been passed to the fifth generation leadership of President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. In the last six decades, Pakistan- China friendship has overseen global upheavals and domestic changes which reflect the resilience of our relationship.

Pakistan and China share are optimistic of creating a peaceful neighborhood, both the countries want the region free from strife and conflict and a world having harmony and peace.

Besides unanimity of views on major issues, the governments in Pakistan and China have charted a clear path of deepening the strategic cooperative partnership in the next five years.

As for President Mamnoon Hussain’s meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaks, it was used as a good opportunity to discuss a whole gamut of issues ranging from Pak-Sri Lanka bilateral relations to further strengthening mutual cooperation and from the shared economic and social challenges to the issues of extremism in the region.

The President also emphasised the need to renew efforts to realise the goal of achieving $1.5 billion bilateral trade by 2015, as Sri Lanka enjoys the exceptional position of being the first country with which Pakistan entered into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

During President’s meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, the latter expressed satisfaction over Pakistani government’s efforts towards finding solutions to the issue of extremism, stabilising the economy of the country and following growth oriented policies to promote socio-economic growth and development in the country.