A heartwarming visit of H.E. Xi Jinping: Pakistan-China friendship
- By Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, May 30, 2015
On a personal note, I cannot help but salute the great leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as well, a Party that has not only brought nearly seven hundred million people out of poverty in four decades in China, but has also catapulted China to become the globe’s second largest economy. In the 1970s, this thought would have been a figment of imagination! Under the CPC leadership, China, having successfully fought imperialist forces and other forces of chaos and anarchy, steered China towards development, national unity and internal cohesion.
To be honest, indeed all of us need to learn from China’s success story. The rapid development of China has become a role model for the world, including Pakistan.
Taking a leaf from the Chinese development framework, we in Punjab are undertaking massive infrastructural and development projects. These projects range from construction and rebuilding of dams, roads, power plants, education, agriculture and energy.
In Punjab, we are also revamping our social sectors, adding nearly one million out-of-school children to our classrooms every year, while building new schools and adding facilities to existing ones, providing technical education to the students in the next three years. Similarly, interest-free loans to over half a million entrepreneurs over the past five years have helped lift millions out of poverty to lead an honourable life.
We have always welcomed Chinese investment. The historic friendship between Pakistan and China has now been turned into useful economic contacts. This remarkable investment package, announced by China, is a splendid gift for Pakistanis. Energy projects would commence in the country, including Punjab, under the investment package. These would greatly help in overcoming energy crisis in the country.
China has extended commendable cooperation in bringing Pakistan out of its energy crisis, which caused irreparable damage to Pakistan’s economy. Besides energy projects, numerous development projects would also be completed through cooperation of China and all kind of facilities would be provided to Chinese investors. A number of Chinese companies are investing in Pakistan and investment of China in Pakistan will further increase in future.
During the visit of H.E. Xi Jinping, the ground-breaking and signing of financial agreements has demonstrated that there is a strong will on both sides to implement the agreed program under CPEC framework as early as possible to help Pakistan meet its energy needs. In the face of emerging geostrategic threats, as well as opportunities shaped by the forces of globalization and imperatives of 21st century, China and Pakistan have committed themselves to create a better and stronger future for regional security, development, and growth.
Let me also take this opportunity to recognize the incredibly powerful, sagacious, and thoughtful leadership of His Excellency President Xi Jinping. Under his dynamic leadership, China has entered into next phase of wide-ranging reforms that will put China on the road to stability, prosperity, and national consolidation, and will pave the way for China to assume its eminent role in human history.
Let me also emphasize that Pakistan and China relations are strong and robust. It is a reality that Pak-China friendship can neither be weighed nor measured, as the friendship between the two countries is tied with the everlasting relations of love, affection and sincerity, and this friendship is being further strengthened with the passage of time. Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship!
Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is chief minister of Punjab Province, Pakistan.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)