Xi always looking at the bigger picture
- By Ma Xiaolin
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E-mail China Daily, April 27, 2015
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Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) his wife Peng Liyuan (L) walk with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (2nd R) and his wife Iriana (R) as they lead the re-enactment of the historic walk from 1955 along Asia Africa Street in Bandung, West Java, at the conclusion of the Asian-African Summit, April 24, 2015. [Photo/China Daily via Agencies] |
A historic Friday walk in which many Asian and African leaders took part in Bandung, Indonesia, completed the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 1955 Asian-African Conference in the city. Floating a three-point proposal at the just concluded Asian-African Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping released a clear signal that China will keep carrying forward the time-honored Bandung Spirit in a steady and effective manner.
Xi's three-point proposal comprised boosting Asia-Africa cooperation, expanding South-South cooperation and promoting South-North cooperation, which were also highlighted in his short but effective visit to Pakistan from April 20 to 21.
Being the first leg of Xi's first overseas trip this year, Pakistan witnessed an unprecedented lift in its relationship with China to an "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership".
Notably, Xi made the most of his less than 40 hours in the South Asian neighbor, meeting most of its major leaders and many civil groups, and wrapping up the signing of 51 agreements and memorandums of understanding worth $46 billion between China and Pakistan.
Of the whole enormous package offered by Beijing, more than 30 agreements are designed to boost the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which connects Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to Pakistan's Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. Both countries are expected to cooperate on gas, coal and solar energy projects as well.
Looking at the broader picture, it is not just commercial investments, but greater regional economic integration that China truly pursues in its Asia-Africa policy. Few could imagine that the almost inseparable China-Pakistan relationship could be taken to an even higher level, in which both countries will strategically coordinate to serve each other's core interests and respect the other's stance regarding international affairs.
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