China-Pakistan friendship has no parallel and remains unshakeable, says Premier Shehbaz

DNA/Centreline Report

BEIJING: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday reiterated his resolve to make Pakistan a great nation by following the Chinese development model through utmost hard work and a sharp focus on industrial and agricultural progress.

“If we follow the Chinese model, I have no doubt, Pakistan will regain its position in the comity of nations and will be respected like our Chinese brothers are done by friends and foes […] We will follow your model, work hard untiringly, put in our sweat and blood, and make Pakistan a great country,” the prime minister said addressing the 4th Pakistan-China Friendship and Business Reception in Beijing.

He told the gathering of Pakistani and Chinese business leaders that Pakistan would follow Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision to focus on progress and prosperity by avoiding conflicts and cited immense Chinese progress and projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI).

He said the China-Pakistan friendship had no parallel, noting that it remained unshakeable and unreachable even during the storms, wars, and earthquakes.

Recalling the Chinese journey of swift development to become the second biggest economic and military power under President Xi’s vision, PM Shehbaz said it was achieved only through hard work and untiring efforts.

“All Pakistanis will also have to pass through this thorny process. There is no other way to earn respect in the world,” he remarked.

He said having come into being two years after Pakistan, China took its trade to trillions of dollars while Pakisan’s hovered around $30-40 billion in terms of exports. 

Referring to the sad and gruesome attack by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in which five Chinese workers were killed in Becham in April, the premier condemned the incident and conveyed his deepest condolence to the families of those who were killed.

He said the incident, which sent a shockwave across Pakistan, was the nefarious plot of enemies of China-Pakistan friendship and CPEC as well as those who did not want to see bilateral ties rising to the apex of glory.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing ceremony of MoUs aimed at enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and China in diverse fields in Beijing today.

During the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Pakistan and China regarding the production of solar panels. Moreover, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed for the project to manufacture Y-to-O tractors

Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan’s Habib Rafiq Limited and Beijing Global Hydrogen Industries Company Limited was also signed on the occasion.

Besides, MoU between Board of Investment of Pakistan and Institute of Structural Economics, Peking University regarding development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor was also signed.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has highlighted the immense potential of cooperation between Pakistan and China which can boost technological progress and innovation in the country.

During his visit to Zhongguancun Science Park in China’s Silicon Valley, he appreciated the scientific and technological advancement in China.

On this occasion, he was briefed on tech start-ups culture and the innovative environment and cutting-edge research taking place in the Science Park. 

The discussions focused on potential collaboration and partnerships in tech start-ups, Research and Development centers, and digital infrastructure.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and other members of the entourage.