DR SHAHID ZIA
PM IK and COAS visited China at a crucial time when epoch making changes and power shift is taking place in the region and beyond.
By all standards,the visit was a resounding success and needs to be projected into all domains of media.
Major takeaways:
PM visited at the invitation of H.E. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China from October 8-9, 2019.
During the short but fruitful time Prime Minister met Xi Jinping, President of China,Premier Li Keqiang and Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Prime Minister also met Chinese entrepreneurs and businessmen.
Both sides found
common grounds on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The success of visit can be summarised as following:
Pakistan and China have enhanced the already existing warm and friendly relationship to new heights.
Joint presence of Politico Military leadership and their meeting with their counterparts has conveyed a string message to the region and international community that both countries will stand shoulder to shoulder,irrespective of time.
CPEC has got a big boost and it’s next phase is being launched under supervision of a unified authority, Chinese desire to make it as a model project of B&R is heartening.
Despite the fact that Chinese President Xi is visiting India in next few days,China did understand Pakistan sensitivities on Kashmir and appropriately mentioned it in the joint communique.
Pakistan’s central role in peace in the region and especially Afghanistan was acknowledged by Chinese leadership.
Pakistan has removed all the misgivings raised about CPEC by vested interests in and outside Pakistan.
CPEC’s next major phase of expansion and consolidation will be launched in coming weeks,bringing FDI and making Pakistan a magnet for foreign investment.
The joint communique is also posted below for effective utilization.
Meetings were marked by traditional warmth, mutual understanding and strategic trust. Prime Minister Imran Khan also attended the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing Horticulture Expo 2019 as a chief guest. Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the Chinese leadership and people on the 70th Anniversary of founding of the People’s Republic of China. He felicitated China for its remarkable growth and underscored that the reform and opening up process of China was a model for developing countries. He maintained that the steady march of the Chinese nation under its visionary leadership towards national rejuvenation was becoming a reality.
Recalling the Joint Statement of November 4, 2018, which outlined the important bilateral consensus between Pakistan and China, the two sides reaffirmed their firm resolve to further strengthening Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership aimed at building a Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
Stressing that the close ties, deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China served the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and contributed to peace, stability and development in the region, the two sides reaffirmed their support on issues concerning each other’s core interests. Chinese leaders reiterated solidarity with Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty, independence and security.
The Pakistan side reaffirmed its commitment to the One China Policy. Supporting One Country Two Systems, Pakistan reiterated that affairs of Hong Kong were China’s internal matter and all countries should uphold international law and basic norms of non-interference in internal affairs of other countries.
Pakistan briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, position, and current urgent issues. The Chinese side responded that it was paying close attention to the current situation in Jammu & Kashmir and reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.
The two sides underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in common interest of all parties. Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Pakistan side underscored that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a transformational project. A CPEC Authority was established to oversee the expeditious implementation of CPEC projects. Both sides maintained that the second phase of CPEC will promote industrial and socio-economic development in Pakistan. Pakistan side also underlined that the Gwadar Port has been granted various facilities enabling it to become a trade and logistical hub for the region. The two sides expressed determination to speedily execute CPEC so that its growth potential can be fully realized making it a high-quality demonstration project for BRI.
The two sides maintained that the ninth session of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to be held in November in Islamabad would further fast-track implementation of the ongoing projects and explore new avenues of cooperation, including ML-1. The two sides underlined that Chinese investment in Specialized Economic Zones (SEZs) and collaboration in SME sector would further expand Pakistan’s industrial base and diversify its export base.
Both sides agreed to jointly study identified projects by the Pakistan side in power, petroleum, gas, agriculture, industrial and infrastructure sectors. Those projects were entrusted to the concerned Joint Working Groups (JWGs) for deliberation and subsequent consideration by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC).
The two sides held in-depth exchange of views on deepening bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, finance, defence and security, education, agriculture, social sector, people-to-people contacts and cultural linkages. Both sides renewed their commitment to reinforce sister-city ties and were happy to note that a major event was being organized in Islamabad in November 2019 to deepen cultural cooperation and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Both sides underlined that educational links between the two countries were becoming stronger. Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked Chinese leadership for providing opportunities to Pakistani students to study in China. He hoped that those students will play an important role in further deepening historic and deep-rooted ties between the two iron brothers.
Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked the Chinese leadership for China’s consistent support for Pakistan’s economic development. The two sides agreed that early implementation of the Second Phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement would contribute to increase in bilateral trade. Both sides agreed to take full advantage of the China-Pakistan Joint Economic and Trade Commission to achieve balanced and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
The leaders reviewed the excellent bilateral defence cooperation and agreed to further strength this cooperation in the areas of military exercises, training cooperation, personnel exchanges, and equipment and technology cooperation.
Reaffirming that there was no military solution in Afghanistan, the two sides agreed that peace and stability in Afghanistan was vital for regional security and expressed satisfaction at the important outcomes of the Third China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Minister’s Dialogue held in Islamabad on 7 September 2019. The Chinese side appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. Both sides maintained that an inclusive, and Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process would be key to bring peace and stability in the country.
