A top Chinese minister has expressed his country’s intention to work with Pakistan for the upgraded version of the multi-billion dollar project.
“China accorded a special place to Pakistan in its foreign policy and would continue to support Pakistan’s economic development and jointly work for the upgraded version of CPEC,” Liu Jianchao, China’s minister of the Central Committee of the International Department of Communist Party of China (IDCPC), was quoted as saying in a statement from Pakistan.
He was accompanied by a delegation, including Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong.
A similar statement was issued by Chinese President Xi Jinping after he met with PM Shehbaz in Beijing earlier this month.
Liu Jianchao stressed that Pakistan and China were “iron brothers, strategic partners and most-trusted friends.”
While welcoming the Chinese dignitary and members of his delegation to Pakistan, the prime minister congratulated him as well as political leaders of Pakistan on organising the Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum and the third round of Joint Consultative Mechanism of Political Parties on CPEC.
It was a matter of “great satisfaction” that there was complete political consensus in both countries on CPEC, he said.
The premier described the friendship between the two countries as “indispensable” for the peace and development of both the countries as well as the region and beyond.
PM Shehbaz also spoke about his meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang during his China trip. He underlined that early completion and implementation of all ongoing, as well as new CPEC projects, would contribute towards Pakistan’s economic growth and inclusive development.
He appreciated the role of IDCPC in the deepening of bilateral ties.
The prime minister also briefed the Chinese delegation about the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers for finance, interior, planning, petroleum, power, privatisation, information, MOS for IT, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and senior officials attended the meeting.
Political parties showed consensus at the third meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) of Political Parties on CPEC in Islamabad. But the visiting Chinese minister stressed that internal stability was essential for Pakistan’s development.
The cross-party political unity was shown at the CPEC Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister of IDCPC and member of the Communist Party Central Committee Liu Jianchao.
“In a turbulent world of rising uncertainties, stability within a country is essential for the development of that country. Faced with complex internal and external challenges, Pakistan is navigating carefully through turbulent rivers and treacherous shores,” Liu said.
“Only when all political parties in the country join hands to ensure political and social stability can there be sustainable development.”
He said China was striving hard to maintain a good balance of reform, development and stability with each facet being “indispensable”.
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Liu said the agreements signed during PM Shehbaz’s “very successful” visit provided an opportunity for the two countries to upgrade their ties to bring about desirable changes.
He said that his country was determined to build the upgraded version of CPEC. “China and Pakistan will always stand shoulder to shoulder to forge a stronger and more solid all weather strategic partnership,” he said.
The Chinese minister added that the International Department of the Central Committee would invite 300 representatives of political parties to visit Pakistan in the next three years. “We should create more platforms for China-Pakistan practical cooperation to better design our national development strategies,” he said.
“We are also ready to work with the political parties of Pakistan to promote exchanges at different levels including the youth, media, think tanks and academia to pass on this friendship to future generations,” he added.
Liu Jianchao was of the view that the determination of their leaders to strengthen the cooperative partnership sent a clear signal to the rest of the world that “China-Pakistan friendship is unbreakable.” Both the countries enjoy a solid foundation and there were great prospects of synergising development strategies and strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation, he added.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed on Friday that Pakistan and China enjoy an “unshakeable strategic trust” as he reiterated the country’s commitment to enhancing people-to-people linkages with the friendly neighbour, Radio Pakistan reported.
“Pakistan-China friendship is a relationship of the past, the present and the future. Our strategic trust is unshakeable and nothing can undo it,” he said in his speech at the China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the third meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism in Islamabad on Friday.
The meeting was a “manifestation of a shared commitment” to preserve and protect the relationship from the vagaries of national, regional and international politics, he added.
“There is a complete unanimity amongst all political parties in Pakistan on CPEC’s importance for Pakistan’s economic growth and sustainable development,” the deputy prime minister said.
Dar, who is also the foreign minister, described CPEC as a “shining emblem” of a new vision for international cooperation. “People of Pakistan will never forget China’s support in crucial times.”
While referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China, Dar said there was renewed consensus on up-gradation of the corridor project. “We are prioritising industry, modern agriculture, information technology and mining and minerals.”
Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that all the political parties were committed to CPEC as it promoted collaboration in health, education, information technology and other sectors besides its contribution to addressing the power woes of the country.
He urged both sides to work together for a green and resilient future besides strengthening the partnership in education and tourism sectors.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the Parliamentary Committee on CPEC ensured “vigilant oversight” of the government and followed up on the progress of the projects under CPEC through regular reporting to the Parliament of Pakistan.
He reaffirmed the resolve of Parliament, the government, and the people of Pakistan to build on past successes and ensure that CPEC reaches its full potential.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for their unconditional support of the Kashmir cause and reiterated Pakistan’s support on the Taiwan issue.
Similarly, both countries had unanimity of views on multiple regional and regional issues, he said and also called for the completion of delayed CPEC projects.
Syed Ali Zafar called for accelerating CPEC projects while Chairman of Pakistan-China Institute Mushahid Hussain Sayed reiterated the political parties’s commitment to take the CPEC-II forward. He also proposed forming a rapid response information system to counter fake news aimed at undermining the CPEC and Pak-China relationship.
National Party’s Senator Jan Muhammad called for technical training of Balochistan’s youth while Afrasiab Khattak cautioned against the designs of the hegemonic forces in the region trying to disrupt peace.
Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the strategic partnership with China and pledged full support for the successful implementation of CPEC.
He said this during a meeting with Liu Jianchao, who called him at General Headquarters.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that both discussed matters of mutual interest, including regional peace and stability and reviewed progress on CPEC.
Liu Jianchao highlighted that “he is visiting Pakistan as a follow up of the successful meetings” between the leadership of the two countries in China.
He emphasised the significance of the longstanding brotherly relations between the two nations and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved on CPEC, reiterating China’s commitment to its timely completion.
“The visiting dignitary also commended Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining regional peace and stability, acknowledging the support of the Pakistan Armed Forces in providing security to Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan,” it said.
(With input from APP)
