Good friends
by
Javed Hafiz |
Bilateral trade between Pakistan and China is poised to increase
China and Pakistan established diplomatic relations on May 21, 1951. A series of functions were held last week to commemorate the 58th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Islamabad Council for World Affairs (ICWA), of which I am a member, invited Chinese Ambassador HE Yuo Zhao Hui to speak on this occasion. ICWA President, Maqbool Ahmad Bhatti, who has served as ambassador of Pakistan in Beijing, in his welcome remarks highlighted the salient features of this all weather friendship.
The ambassador of China dwelt, at length, on this special relationship. President Zardari, since assumption of the office, has visited China thrice, once on a state visit and twice on working visits, the ambassador then referred to an opinion poll, conducted during the Beijing Olympics, in which the Chinese people overwhelmingly voted for Pakistan as the friendliest nation. Pakistan got 78 per cent votes in this poll, higher than any other nation. The ambassador stated that with ten thousand engineers and experts, Chinese were the largest expatriate community in Pakistan.
He explained that bilateral trade now stands at $7 billion and is poised to increase.
The guest speaker referred to the historic Pakistani role of providing to China an opening to the world in the 1960’s. PIA was the first foreign airline to fly to Beijing and Karachi became a gateway for many a country to China. The speaker also highlighted Pakistani role in bringing China and the United States closer, leading to the establishment of diplomatic relations.
A highly fruitful area of the bilateral co-operation has been defence production. This has resulted in joint production of JF-17 Thunder aircraft, Al Khalid Tank and naval frigates. China follows a wise policy on international economic assistance. It prefers project assistance and rarely gives cash loans. Such assistance results in tangible projects useful for the recipient nations and, at times, for both countries.
In 1998, Pakistan came under severe international sanctions as a result of nuclear detonation. In that hour of need, China gave to Pakistan substantial financial assistance as balance of payment support, against its standing policy. Chinese total balance of payment support to Pakistan now stands at $1.5 billion. The mere fact that China created an exception for Pakistan shows the depth of this special relationship. China Mobile is the largest mobile phone company in the world and Pakistan is the first international market it selected.
The Chinese province of Sinkiang, bordering Pakistan and Central Asia has seen some dissent since the end of the cold war era. The dissidents were encouraged by the independence of the central Asian states and Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. There was some terrorist activity like hijacking of the China Air planes. In recent years, some terrorists from that province took refuge in Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) of Pakistan. The Chinese ambassador said that the Pakistani authorities had so far arrested and handed over to China some thirty wanted persons. War against terror has emerged yet another area of cooperation between the two nations.
The two countries hold identical views that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, could not be tolerated.
The ambassador also elaborated areas that had not yet reached their potential in bilateral ties. In this list, he included tourism, people-to-people contacts, economic cooperation, and trade. The last two working visits of President Zardari had focused on agriculture and hydro-electricity. He was particularly impressed by the Three Gorges Dam in China.
Pakistan is energy deficient and its agriculture needs a major overhaul. The emphasis in agriculture is shifting from costly chemical fertilisers to the use of biological compost, which is cheaper, soil friendly and improves water retention capacity of the soil. China has taken all these technologies to the people working in agriculture. By improving its agricultural extension (taking research to the farmer) and better water use, Pakistan can increase its agricultural production manifold.
Pakistan has not built a major dam after Mangla and Tarbela. In order to increase industrial production and export surplus, Pakistan has to increase energy production rapidly. Bhasha-Diamer dam, a gigantic project on the Indus will start next year, feasility being positive. A Chinese firm is preparing the feasibility study for this dam. Chinese firms are also keen to bid for this project, which will take five years to complete.
In his concluding remarks, the ambassador said that Sino-Pak relations were strategic in nature and aimed at promoting regional peace and security. He added that a strong and stable Pakistan was in China’s interest.
If an environment of security and stability was established, the bilateral relationship could be taken to new heights.
Former Foreign Minister Abdus Sattar, being the senior most in the audience, thanked the ambassador for his detailed briefing adding that friendship with China enjoyed national consensus in Pakistan.
Javed Hafiz is a former Pakistani ambassador to the Sultanate.
Oman Tribune |
Other comment for Javed Hafiz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NEWS UPDATES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
