-Says China is dearest, closest friend of Pakistan
-Confers Hilal-e-Pakistan award on outgoing Chinese envoy
-Hails envoy’s services in boosting ties
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday said that Pakistan can always trust its dearest and closest friend and brother country, China. He expressed these remarks on the occasion of conferring the Hilal-e-Pakistan award on the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing in recognition of his service to strengthen bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries.
At a ceremony held here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president decorated Ambassador Yao Jing with the country’s second highest civil award, given to the people for their meritorious contribution to the national interests of Pakistan.
The event was attended by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, federal ministers and high government officials.
Later, Ambassador Yao Jing called on the president and discussed matters pertaining to bilateral relations between the two countries.President Alvi termed China a close friend, which had always supported Pakistan on its all issues of national interest.
Highlighting the economic and strategic significance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he stated that the Corridor would increase regional connectivity and countries of the region, particularly Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, would enormously benefit from it.
He emphasized the need for further strengthening defence cooperation between the two all-weather friends, adding that Pakistan was looking forward to the visit of President Xi Jinping which would further boost bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, economy and defence.
The president appreciated the efforts made by the outgoing ambassador for further promoting and solidifying bilateral relations, and mentioned that many infrastructure and development projects were completed during the tenure of Yao Jing.The ambassador assured that China would continue its efforts to promote peace and connectivity in the region.
He specially thanked President Alvi for being the only head of state to visit China during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
Meanwhile, China has appreciated President Dr Arif Aliv’s remarks about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), its role for boosting regional connectivity and benefits to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs).
“Just as President Alvi pointed out, the CPEC not only benefits the people of China and Pakistan, but will also boost the development of other countries in the region and elevate connectivity and economic cooperation throughout the entire region,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters.
“We have noted President Alvi’s remarks,” he said and added, “The CPEC is an important pilot program of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and a flagship in China-Pakistan cooperation.”He remarked that since its launch six years ago, major progress had been achieved with a large number of projects starting construction or being completed and more than $25 billion direct investment flowing into Pakistan.
“The completed projects have greatly improved transportation infrastructure and electricity supply in Pakistan, created over 70,000 direct employment opportunities, contributed between one percentage point and two to its annual GNI growth, and enhanced socioeconomic growth and people’s well-being,” he added.
Wang said, “China firmly supports CPEC development and stands ready to work together with Pakistan to act on our leaders’ consensus and, on the basis of continued solid progress in infrastructure development, focus on cooperation in social welfare, industrial and agricultural cooperation, to turn the CPEC into a demonstration project for high-quality BRI development and deliver more benefits for the two countries and regional countries.
”It may be mentioned that President Dr. Arif Alvi in a telephonic talk with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would boost regional connectivity and particularly Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics would benefit from its road and railway infrastructure. He also highlighted importance of Gwadar seaport.
