Ambassador Sun Weidong inaugurates ‘China Week’ organized by RCCI

RAWALPINDI, March 9: In a desire to boost trade volume with China, the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) opened ‘China Week’ on its premises on Wednesday. Chinese Ambassador H. E. Mr. Sun Weidong inaugurated the week in an ornamented ribbon cutting ceremony. Chairman Parliamentary Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed was accompanied him.
RCCI President Mian Humayun Parvez, Senior Vice President Saqib Rafiq, Vice President Muhammad Aqil Obaid, Group Leader Sheikh Shabbir, SM Naseem, former presidents, members of the executive committee and other industrialists, traders and businessmen were present on the occasion.
Different companies including Chinese companies have established their stalls at the exhibition, displaying cars, motorcycles, leather products, garments and other items to mark the event. Some local businessmen and producers have also put up their products. Children from Roots Millennium Schools presented colorful performances depicting Chinese and Pakistani culture and music. The whole building was decorated in Chinese national color and a small picture gallery reflecting Chinese culture and art was also displayed on the occasion.
While inaugurating the week, Chinese Ambassador said that Pakistan and China enjoyed best mutual, trade, bilateral, social and cultural relations. The government of Peoples Republic of China and people has always shown a great affection, love and brotherhood towards Pakistan and its people. “Chinese businessmen always prefer to invest in Pakistan to boost bilateral trade ties,” he said. The ambassador also praised the RCCI for organizing China Week and offered cooperation in arranging such programmes in future. China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and Pakistan is China’s second largest trading partner in South Asia. The trade volume between the two countries has jumped up to approximately 19 billion dollar. 46 billion dollar CPEC is the key project and this show how China is giving importance to Pakistan. He referred Chinese President Xi Jinping visit to Pakistan last year, where more than 52 projects were signed. He Thanked RCCI President for organizing China Week and shared his best wishes for the success. He said that this year we are going to celebrate 65th anniversary of our diplomatic ties with Pakistan and lot of activities are going on. He invited RCCI President and others to join these events. He ends his address by saying “PAK CHEEN DOSTI ZINDA BAD” in Urdu. Later, the Ambassador visited various stalls and stressed the importance of Pak-China joint ventures.
Speaking on the occasion President RCCI Mian Humayun Parvez said China is Pakistan time tested friend and that is why called our friendship as all weather friendship. The President said that various development projects are being completed in Pakistan with Chinese help which will also play an important role to promote our historic friendship.
Frequent visits of business and trade delegations were being made on regular basis to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries, he further said.
Earlier, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed in his address said that Pakistan and China shared a great history of brotherly and time tested relations. He referred to CPEC project and said that this single project will change whole picture of Pakistan’s economy and will set up future economic direction. This project will strengthen the federation as all provinces and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan will benefit from it. “This corridor will benefit all provinces and areas in Pakistan, and transform our country into a regional hub and pivot for commerce and investment”, he added. He urged the business community and private sector to come forward and play their role in match making and bring this project as success. – PR