Pak-China pragmatic co-op reviving vitality of new era
Pakistan Ambassador to China, Naghmana Hashmi has said that at the moment, the allweather friendship between Pakistan and China is reviving the vitality of the new era because of the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries.
In an exclusive interview with the People's Daily overseas network, Ambassador Hashmi specifically talked about the example of the Karakoram Highway.
The Karakoram Highway is the world's highest cross-border international highway. In the 1960s and 1970s, Pakistani engineers were not afraid of hardships and difficulties, and opened the only land route between the two countries.
Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, it is also known as an important channel for the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. In recent years, it has been upgraded and transformed. The trade logistics time between the two countries has been further shortened, which has promoted the development of the local economy, society and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Behind the upgrade of the Karakoram Highway is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a magnificent cooperation project between China and Pakistan.
At present, the first phase of CPEC construction focusing on infrastructure and energy projects has been basically completed, and all energy projects have been put into commercial operation.
Ambassador Hashmi is full of expectations and said, "Now, CPEC is about to enter the second phase focusing on the construction of special economic zones. This will bring more economic and social benefits of CPEC to the two peoples, and the relationship between the two countries will be closer.
Ambassador Hashmi is looking forward to the future to further expand the depth and breadth of cooperation between the two countries. For five consecutive years, China has become Pakistan's largest trading partner and second largest export destination country, ranking first in Pakistan's source of foreign direct investment for six consecutive years.
She believes that with the implementation of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, "the two peoples will have more opportunities to enjoy products from the other country."
Made in China is very popular in Pakistan, and Ambassador Hashmi himself has a special liking for handicrafts in different parts of China. During her visit to Beijing World Expo, she stayed in the China Pavilion for half of the trip. The colorful handicrafts from all over the country made her feast her eyes.
In addition, China's hightech products, silk, etc. also caused her special attention. "If I can, I hope to bring everything (products) from China back to Pakistan." At the same time, Ambassador Hashmi also hopes to promote more Pakistani quality products into the Chinese market. Agricultural products are the key areas for Pakistan's exports to China.
She looks forward to increasing the investment in Pakistan's fruit and vegetable exports to China in the future construction of special economic zones, and solving the problem of transportation losses caused by packaging and storage technologies. "When agriculture in cold regions of China is affected in the winter, Pakistan's potatoes, onions, apples, grapes, apricots, cherries, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables can provide more choices for Chinese consumers."