2024.05.11
Grandview Institution 2024.05.11 10:12 Beijing
On May 10, 2024, Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi, the new Ambassador of Pakistan to China, delivered a speech titled "Promoting China-Pakistan Practical Cooperation in Various Fields under the Framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" at GVI’s special talk program “Grand The View”.
Ambassador Hashmi said that after years of efforts, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has already begun contributing to Pakistan's economy and development, and has borne fruit for the economic and trade cooperation and friendship between the people of China and Pakistan.
The construction of the road transportation network along the CPEC has played a crucial role in the industrialization and urbanization of the regions radiating from the project, greatly facilitating the smooth flow of trade and people-to-people communication. For instance, the Karakorum Highway and the Gwadar Port, two key projects in the CPEC, have not only reduced China's dependence on the Strait of Malacca and made it easier for Chinese products and technologies to be transported to other regions, but also considerably boosted the development and prosperity of the local population and countries along the corridor.
Now that the construction of the CPEC has entered an all-round upgrading stage, China and Pakistan pledge to work together to build a growth corridor, a livelihood corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor, and an open corridor. Ambassador Hashmi pointed out that constructing an open and inclusive corridor will enable more countries to share the dividends. A larger network for regional cooperation can be established by extending the corridor to both sides. This is also in line with President Xi Jinping's announcement at last year's Belt and Road Summit of China's eight actions to support high-quality construction of the Belt and Road.
As an important bridgehead for Chinese enterprises to enter the markets of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, Pakistan has a huge European market of its own. However, most of its exports are low-value-added products. Therefore, Pakistan is keen on China's increased investment in Pakistan's export-oriented industries to raise the added value of its exports, which can be counted as a win-win cooperation for both countries.
When talking about bilateral relations, Ambassador Hashmi said that the China-Pakistan friendship dates back to a long time ago. Since the establishment of New China in 1949, Pakistan was the first Islamic country to recognize the PRC. Besides, Pakistan has helped Beijing break the diplomatic blockade and isolation by the world at many critical moments, for instance, voting for the restoration of PRC's legitimate seat in the United Nations, providing support before the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between China and the United States, among others. As Pakistan's good brother, good partner, and good neighbor, China is always firmly standing with Pakistan in safeguarding its dignity and defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Against the backdrops of the current deteriorating global situation, Pakistan will unswervingly back up China as its most trustworthy friend, and work together to ensure the stability and prosperity of the neighboring regions. Ambassador Hashmi said any attempts to undermine or provoke the friendship between China and Pakistan with ulterior motives would be doomed to failure.
This episode of Grand The View was presided over by Zhang Xiaoming, a member of the Academic Committee of GVI. Participating in the event were Ghulam Mustafa, Pakistani Military Attaché to China, Iqbal Nadeem, Air Force Attaché to China, Rabbia Nasir, Pakistani Embassy staff, Ren Libo, President and Founder of GVI, Li Xinyu, Vice Chairman, Zhao Genrong, Vice Chairman and Director of GVI’s Shanghai Center, Li Bijian, Former Consul General of China in Karachi, Liu Ping, Director of the Center for Defense and Security Studies, and Yang Xiaotong, Head of Research, Department of International Cooperation of GVI.
“Grand The View” aims to create an open and international academic exchange platform for public interest, inviting top think tank scholars, renowned diplomats, and heads and minds among government decision-makers from home and abroad to analyze the current affairs and explain decision-making intentions for the public, with a view of elucidating the complicated and complex changes of the century and fostering the public's ability to understand the world.