–Says Pak-China ties is a factor for stability in the region
BEIJING: Pakistan Ambassador to China Moin-ul-Haq congratulated the people of China and the CPC for achieving the historic milestone of 100 years of the CPC in an interview with Global Times.
GT: This year marks the Communist Party of China (CPC) centenary. Based on your own observation, how do you evaluate the performance and development of the CPC over the past 100 years?
Haque: Let me first congratulate the people of China and the CPC for achieving the historic milestone of 100 years of the CPC.
The Party has played a key role in China’s development, starting from its liberation to poverty alleviation, which is a miracle. It is a historic feat by the CPC to lift almost 800 million people out of poverty.
CPC’s policies are people-centric aimed at the wellbeing of the people of China. We are also grateful to the CPC for its strong support to China-Pakistan friendship.
GT: The CPC has been under vigorous attack from the West in recent years. What do you think are the reasons for those attacks? Some even said a growing CPC and China are a threat to the region. What do you think of this view?
Haque: When you have success, you will have attacks from your detractors. Don’t worry about that. That’s part of the game.
China’s rise is peaceful. Its international relations are based on mutual respect and cooperation. China always supports multilateralism, international cooperation, and solidarity.
We take pride in our relationship with China which is based on warm sentiments and shared values.
Pakistan-China relationship is a factor of stability in the region and beyond. Regional peace is important for development of our people, so that’s why we promote friendly neighborly ties in our region.GT: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.
How do you evaluate relations between the two countries over the past seven decades? How do you predict the future development of bilateral ties?
Haque: Pakistan-China relations are very unique and special. Over the past seven decades, the two countries have formed a close and friendly brotherhood. Today we are strategic partners and cooperate in almost every field. This year is a milestone in our relationship as we are celebrating 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Our bilateral ties enjoy support at the highest level and have been nurtured over the years by successive generations of our leadership and people. This is the essence of our strong ties. We hope that in the next 70 years, we will take this relationship to even greater heights.
GT: Some Western media outlets wrongfully speculated that the CPEC is doomed amid increasing terror attacks. What’s your response? Haque: There are detractors of both Pakistan and China and they obviously don’t like our friendship. There are countries which do not like the peaceful rise of China, so there will always be these critics and voices. But we are not worried about that because China-Pakistan friendship is rock solid.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor constitutes an important element of our economic and investment cooperation. For us, it’s a project which has transformed Pakistan’s landscape. Few days back, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mr. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a meeting with the Ambassador Nong Rong in which he reaffirmed our commitment to CPEC and assured that Pakistan would make all efforts necessary for the timely completion of all projects.
GT: Some political analysts believe China and Pakistan’s close relationship will intensify the conflict with or lead to a confrontation with India. What’s your view?
Haque: No. I think our relationship is not directed against a third country. Pakistan is part of South Asia and we always strive to have good relationship with all countries of South Asia. Our neighborhood policy is based on the philosophy of co-existence with all our neighbors peacefully. This is also China’s approach.
GT: The COVID-19 global pandemic is still engulfing the world. What efforts has Pakistan made to prevent cross-border transmission of the deadly virus? What are the challenges?
Haque: Pandemic has affected all the countries in the world. Pakistan was no exception. The government took very prudent and timely measures not only to protect lives and control the spread of the virus but also to ensure economic stability in Pakistan.
We have been able to control the virus and the situation is stable now. The next challenge is to vaccinate the majority of the population of our country.
The vaccination campaign has started in Pakistan for which we are grateful to China for its support. China helped Pakistan during our difficult times by providing essential relief goods. Now it has provided us with vaccines. The overwhelming majority of vaccines being used in Pakistan are Chinese made.
GT: Have you strengthened border control to prevent virus transmission from India?
Haque: We have strict border control to prevent the spread of the disease in Pakistan from neighboring countries. We are confident that we can control the spread of the virus.
GT: There’s concern about the safety and efficiency of Chinese vaccines as expressed in Western media outlets. Does Pakistan have similar concerns?
Haque: Three Chinese COVID-19 vaccines have been registered in Pakistan for use. If there had been any concern, we would not have registered them. They are very safe and effective. Pakistani population is being vaccinated in large numbers by these vaccines. I have also been vaccinated by Chinese vaccines and suffered no side effects. So we are very satisfied with Chinese vaccines.
GT: Some Western politicians and media outlets accused China of allegedly adopting “vaccine diplomacy.” What’s your take on this accusation?
Haque: To address this unprecedented health crisis, there is a need to work together. We need international cooperation and it’s not time for blame games or the politicization of a global pandemic. We call on all the countries to work together to address this challenge. The policy of China is to make COVID-19 vaccines a public good. It provides vaccines to a large number of countries, especially the developing ones.
– The Daily Mail-Global Times News exchange item
