"I think the political goodwill always existed. But to transform political goodwill into tangible economic cooperation, that has happened in the last five years with China. The Pakistan economic corridor now becomes more relevant," Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the director-general of the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI), explained to a visiting Chinese media delegation in Islamabad on July 31, 2018.

The five-member delegation of Chinese media representatives is organized by the ISSI, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and the Embassy of Pakistan to the People's Republic of China. 

The trip offers an opportunity for the Chinese media delegates to learn more about Pakistan's history, culture and tourism, to better provide firsthand information on developmental projects and to promote interaction with Pakistani media institutions, think tanks, political government and social entities.

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan's former deputy permanent representative to the UN in New York, hosted the discussion.

Regarding China-Pakistan relations, he said that Pakistan enjoys excellent relations since the day the nation was established because "China follows a principled approach. China does not believe in interfering in other countries' affairs. China does not intervene in other countries' affairs. China wants to promote cooperative relationships between the two countries. Therefore, China has always been seen by the people of Pakistan as a country which is good."

He said the Belt and Road Initiative will benefit the whole region.

"We are heartened by President Xi's announcement that he is looking for a community of shared destiny [a community with a shared future for humanity]. I think that is a very good objective. The Belt and Road Initiative, which touches more than 60 countries, shows that China wants to contribute to infrastructure development, to connectivity, to economic growth and development."

He further elaborated that the world should move in that direction. He believed that the UN Charter principles are relevant and countries should all show respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the other principles of the UN Charter. He urged countries to work for a globalized world, and for the common good of the people of the world.

"And I think in that way Pakistan-China cooperation will hopefully be good for the whole region. And it's not only for Pakistan and China. We think it will benefit Afghanistan, it will benefit the whole region in Central Asia." He added.

The ISSI was established in 1973 under a directive from the President of Pakistan as a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes policy-oriented research on critical national, regional and international issues affecting Pakistan's security environment.

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