Ties strong, says Chinese delegation
ISLAMABAD MUST FOCUS ON ENHANCING ITS EXPORTS, VISITING TEAM OBSERVES
Adelegation of Chinese scholars and experts has termed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to their country successful, adding that bilateral cooperation would improve Pakistan’s economy and increase connectivity in the region.
A Chinese delegation is presently visiting Pakistan and holding meetings with local scholars, experts and officials, to get first-hand information about the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The delegation noted that during Khan’s China visit, various memorandums of understanding were signed to further boost the relations of the two countries.
Rong Ying, head of the visiting delegation and vice president, China Institute of International Studies, said: “Despite the change in the region and local scenarios, China and Pakistan’s relations never changed and the ties between the two countries only strengthened with the passage of time.”
He said that China and Pakistan were best friends and China would not leave Pakistan alone in difficult times. However, he said that Pakistan should adopt short and long term strategies to come out of its economic crisis, such as enhancing its exports.
Developing connectivity
In five years since BRI was launched, the focus has been on developing connectivity and infrastructure building in partner countries, Ying noted. Till date, 130 countries or international organisations had either signed MoUs or had expressed interest in joining BRI, which is an open-ended and inclusive initiative.
Ye Hailin, director of the Centre for South Asia Study and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said: “I have been visiting Pakistan for the last 20 years and relations between the two countries moved forward with every passing year.”
The president of China launched BRI to promote regional connectivity, Hailin said, adding that the project would be successful with the full cooperation and participation of member countries.
Praising the government of Pakistan and its armed forces for providing security to the Chinese working on CPEC, he stressed the need for joint action against terrorism.
Second Secretary of the Department of Asian Affairs and Ministry of foreign Affairs, Qin Wenci, asked the Pakistani government to focus on increasing exports. “Pakistan should focus on improving the manufacturing sector, as it will help to increase exports,” she added.