ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that during the last 1 year Pakistan and China have identified more than 50 new initiatives for joint collaboration and signed more than three dozen MoUs. He mentioned this during an interview with a Chinese newspaper agent held at the Presidency.
He mentioned that Being a longstanding friend, Pakistan is in fact interested to learn from the Chinese experience. But unfortunate the extent of political relations have not been completely reflected in our economic ties. He also mentioned that there was a lot to learn from the Chinese model of economic development specially the model adopted in its provinces of Zhejiang and Guangdong. The progress made by China in agriculture particularly in hybrid seed technology and optimal utilization of water is really something that needs to be emulated in other countries as well.
While answering to a question about his visits to China, he said that during all his visits he tried to focused on familiarizing himself with the Great Chinese experience of growth and development.
‘I think there is a great deal Pakistan can learn from the Chinese growth and development model,’ he said.
The foundations of a strong friendship with China were laid by the visionary policies of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and he played a great role in building this strategic cooperative relationship.
‘The real challenge is how to actualize the great potential of economic cooperation between the two countries. The trajectory of future relationship is clear. The two countries will continue to cooperate for promotion of global and regional peace, advancement in the science and technology, improvement in the living standards of our respective people and fight against environmental degradation. This relationship will grow stronger and stronger with each passing year. We have resolved to take this partnership to greater heights,’ the president observed.
The president also said the Government of Pakistan fully supports and appreciates the Chinese Government’s efforts to maintain social and political stability, peace and ethnic harmony in Xinjiang and indeed throughout China. ‘We fully support the Chinese Government’s efforts to promote the development of Xinjiang Autonomous Region as part of China’s Western Development Strategy.’
Pakistan fully supports China’s policy of social harmony and development which is producing great results for all Chinese people.
We also believe that with the unprecedented economic development in China all ethnic groups would stand to gain, he added.—PPI
