Chinese Vice President acclaims spirit of 'Silk Road binding Pakistan and China'; Pakistan-China Institute hosts grand gathering of political leaders, civil society, business, opinion leaders and think tanks to welcome Vice President Wang

Source : PCI Date : 26-05-2019

Islamabad, May 26: The visiting Vice President of China, Wang Qishan, has said that Pakistan and China stand by each other’s core interests and he said that the spirit of the Silk Road binds the two countries together with a common heritage and history. The visiting Vice President was speaking at his first engagement upon his arrival in Pakistan at a very well attended function organized by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), under the banner of “Friends of Silk Road”, a people’s platform linking communities, different segments of society, academia, media and think-tanks at a grass root level.

Vice-President Wang Qishan thanked Senator Mushahid Hussain, the Chairman of the PCI and Chairman of Senate Foreign Affairs Committee for hosting this event, which brought together a galaxy of political leaders, senators, MNAs from all political parties and provinces plus youth and women activists, civil society, think-tanks, scholars, intellectuals, artists and business leaders. Vice President Wang Qishan also referred to the international situation and said that despite challenges, the way forward is globalization, free trade and people-to-people connectivity. He also appreciated the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and he said that the second phase of CPEC would even bring more benefits for both Pakistan and China. Finally he said, “No matter how the international landscape changes, China will always stand by Pakistan’s core interests, and both Pakistan and China have made the right choice based on equality and mutual benefit.”

In his welcome address, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Chairman PCI and Chairman Senate Foreign Affairs Committee said that the presence of political leaders from all parties and provinces in this gathering is an affirmation of the consensus enjoyed by CPEC across the board since it is a guarantor of a better tomorrow for Pakistan and its people. In this regard, he also referred to the conference on CPEC convened in Beijing in March, where 50 representatives of 10 political parties took part and issued a “Beijing Declaration” affirming their support for CPEC. This conference was organized in Beijing by International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC).

Senator Mushahid Hussain also congratulated Vice President Wang Qishan on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, in which China had achievements in economy, especially lifting 750 million people out of poverty, pursuing a model foreign policy of non interference in internal affairs and respecting countries, irrespective of size or strength, and promoting cultural connectivity at a people to people level. Giving the history of PCI, he termed it as the first non-governmental initiative that is now serving as bridge between people of China and Pakistan. Senator Mushahid Hussain said that Pakistan rejects any notion of “clash of civilizations” or a return to a Cold War mentality.

Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi warmly welcomed the VP and referred to CPEC as a binding force between Pakistani and China, citing the recent visit of Prime Minister to China for the Belt and Road Forum, and he praised CPEC for contributing to the progress of Pakistan.

Chairman Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani said that China is Pakistan’s time-tested friend and an “iron-brother,” and “the people of Pakistan are proud of their friendship with China.” He also welcomed and endorsed the initiative of President Xi Jinping for organizing the dialogue of Asian Civilizations, and said that cooperation, not confrontation is the way forward for Asia.

The Ambassador of China, Yao Jing, was also present on the podium and the audience included the Leader of the House in the Senate, Senator Shibli Faraz, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Suri, as well as federal ministers Azam Swati and Shehryar Afridi, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, Sher Ali Arbab and a large number of senators and MNAs from the PML-N, PTI, PPP, ANP, BNP Mengal, FATA and the Balochistan Awami Party. The event also included the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Daroo Khan Achakzai, prominent businessman Iqbal Z. Ahmed, prominent artist Jimmy Engineer, the founder of Ajoka Theater, Shahid Mehmood Nadeem, and prominent think tank leaders like Lt Gen (R) Asad Durrani, and Lt Gen (R) Talat Masood were also present on the occasion. Mustafa Hyder Sayed, Executive Director, Pakistan-China Institute, conducted the proceedings.

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