Liu Jianchao says security threats are main hazards disturbing CPEC cooperation
\n ISLAMABAD
\nA senior Chinese official on Friday advised Pakistani political leadership to shun differences as \u201cinternal stability is imperative for any nation to develop\u201d.
\n\u201cIn a turbulent world of rising uncertainties, stability within the country is essential for development. Faced with complex internal and external challenges, Pakistan is navigating carefully through turbulent rivers,\u201d Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Liu Jianchao said.
\nJianchao made the remarks as he co-chaired \u2014 along with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar \u2014 the third meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) of the Political Parties on the CPEC.
\nLeaders belonging to all major political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), were present during the event.
\nPTI\u2019s Barrister Ali Zafar and Raoof Hasan, PML-N\u2019s Ahsan Iqbal, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam\u2019s Emir Fazlur Rehman, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan\u2019s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and other top leaders were in attendance.
\nPakistan and China enjoy close relations with Bejing also investing billions of dollars in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and working in various sectors to boost Islamabad\u2019s capabilities.
\nHowever, the works on the flagship project have been hindered in recent years due to the security situation with China informing the Pakistani side of its reservations.
\nThe Chinese official said that there can be sustainable development only when all political parties in a country join hands to ensure political and social stability.
\n\u201cAnd for all these years, China has always been striving hard to maintain a good balance of reform, development, and stability \u2014 each of the three fundamentals is indispensable.\u201d
\n\u2018Business environment cannot improve without security\u2019
\nThe minister noted that over the years, CPEC has boosted Pakistan\u2019s economic and social development. However, he said that more efforts need to be made, especially when it comes to security.
\n\u201cWe are ready to build the upgraded version of CPEC […] we need to improve security and business environment. Security threats are the main hazards disturbing CPEC cooperation,\u201d he highlighted.
\nIn the case of Pakistan, he said, the primary factor shaking the confidence of Chinese investors is the security situation. \u201cWithout security, the business environment cannot really improve, which can undermine development in the long run.\u201d
\nAt the same time, he also appreciated the Pakistani security forces for their services in this regard.
\nMoving on, the senior official said that due to the wholehearted support of the people of both nations, Pakistan and China have become \u201ciron friends\u201d. \u201cPublic support is the bedrock of the China-Pakistan relationship.\u201d
\nHowever, voicing fears, he said that the mutual affinity between the people of the countries is still not commensurate with the iron-clad friendship of the countries.
\n\u201cIn particular, there\u2019s a rising risk of Western social media which has a huge impact on the younger generation, eroding the foundation of the China-Pakistan friendship,\u201d Jianchao said.
\nHe said the Chinese government was ready to promote exchanges between the youth, media, think tanks, academics, and local governments, and help the public understand the friendship better.
\nDar vows to enhance people-to-people linkages
\nIn his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to enhance people-to-people linkages with China to deepen the sentiments of mutual respect, trust and understanding between the two countries. Dar said Pakistan-China friendship is a relationship of the past, the present, and the future. He said the strategic trust between the nations is unshakeable and nothing can undo it.
\nThe deputy prime minister said this meeting is a manifestation of a shared commitment to preserve and protect this relationship from the vagaries of national, regional, and international politics.
\nDar said there is complete unanimity amongst all political parties in Pakistan on CPEC\u2019s importance for Pakistan\u2019s economic growth and sustainable development. The deputy prime minister said the CPEC is not merely a symbol of Pakistan-China friendship. It is a shining emblem of a new vision for international cooperation.
\nHe said the people of Pakistan will never forget China\u2019s support in crucial times.
\nReferring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif\u2019s recent visit to China, Dar said there was renewed consensus on upgradation of the corridor project. He said we are prioritising industry, modern agriculture, Information Technology and mining and minerals.
\n\u2018Game changer\u2019
\nFor his part, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said that CPEC had not only transformed Pakistan\u2019s infrastructure landscape but had also significantly contributed to its socio-economic development.
\n\u201cAll political parties of Pakistan speak with one voice in complete solidarity with CPEC as a \u2018game changer\u2019.\u201d
\n\u201cThe bond between the people of the two nations has successfully withstood the test of time,\u201d he expressed.
\nHe said: \u201cChina and Pakistan have always held each other\u2019s hands and shown the world that both nations stand together as one in peace and prosperity, and tragedy and turmoil.\u201d
\nSadiq said\u201d \u201cThis \u201call-weather friendship\u201d bears testimony to the age-old Chinese saying: A friend \u2014 one soul, two bodies.\u201d
\nIn his address, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that all political parties are sitting at the same table today, proving that the political leadership of both countries are on the same page.
\nTo ensure the progress of CPEC, Iqbal stressed the need to work together. The exchange of dialogue between political delegations will create harmony, he said.
\nThe Communist Party of China should also work on boosting its relations with the politicians of Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan, the minister noted.
\nIn his speech, JUI-F Emir Fazl said he was grateful to China for supporting Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. He said it was his desire to make the friendship between the countries beneficial for the people.
\n\u201cThere is a national consensus on CPEC in Pakistan,\u201d Fazl said.
\nHina Rabbani Khar, a top PPP leader and a former foreign minister, said that all political parties are on the same page when it comes to CPEC.
\n\u201cThe role of Pakistan and China in the global scenario is important. China has made immense progress in science and technology,\u201d she noted. Khar also welcomed all political parties\u2019 participation in the event.
\nCPEC, PTI Senator Ali Zafar, said is an expression of the vision of Pakistan-China friendship. \u201cFriendship with China is the main pillar of our foreign policy.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Liu Jianchao says security threats are main hazards disturbing CPEC cooperation ISLAMABAD A senior Chinese official on Friday advised Pakistani political leadership to shun differences as \u201cinternal stability is imperative for any nation to develop\u201d. \u201cIn a turbulent world of rising uncertainties, stability within the country is essential for development. Faced with complex internal and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":413722,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-413691","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n