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Pakistan-China Institute

Realizing the Future Collectively

PCI Hosts First Trilateral Think Tank Conference between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan


Date : August 07, 2013   

PCI Hosts First Trilateral Think Tank Conference between China, Pakistan and Afghanistan

Beijing, August 7: The first ever trilateral dialogue between think tanks of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan was held in Beijing under the joint auspices of the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) and the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI).

This track II dialogue was attended by diplomats, strategists and researchers from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan, including the Ambassadors Pakistan and China. The three neighbours sat together on one platform to jointly discuss the prospects of peace, security and stability in the region, in the context of the upcoming withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

In his opening remarks, Chairman PCI, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who initiated this Trilateral Conference, stated that the time had come for Asian hands to shape Asia's destiny in the 21st Century, adding that the decisions regarding the future of the region would no longer be crafted in Washington, London and Brussels but in the region itself.  He said that the balance of economic and political power was shifting from the West to the East, with the evident loss of clout of the West. He referred to the emerging New Regionalism and introduced the concept of a 'Greater South Asia' emerging beyond the sub-continent as an economic entity that now includes countries in the vicinity such as China, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Iran, whose cooperation is woven together through energy, economy, energy pipelines, as well as road and rail links.

Elaborating on the socio-cultural aspects of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, he added that all three neighbours have stakes in peace, and apart from geography, there was a history of shared heritage that brings them together.

Senator Hussain welcomed the proactive role of China on Afghanistan and said that all neighbours of Afghanistan were committed to protecting its independence, unity and territorial integrity.

The leader of the Afghanistan delegation, Sayed Hamed Gilani, appreciated the historic role of Pakistan during the 1980s of welcoming 5 million Afghan refugees on its soil and  said that these bonds of brotherhood between Pakistan and Afghanistan had become permanent since the two neighbours were determined to forge a future together. He stressed that the people of Afghanistan could never forget the open hearted assistance during the hour of need in the Soviet-Afghan war.

Former Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Zhou Gang, who is also a member of the Policy Advisory Group, categorically stated, “The US should not maintain in Afghanistan its military presence and military bases in the future.” The veteran Chinese diplomat also expressed his concern regarding the future of Afghanistan, and said that “activities of terrorism, extremism and separatism spread abroad threaten the security and stability of Pakistan, Central Asian countries and the Xinjiang, Autonomous Region of China.”

The head of the Afghan Institute of Strategic Studies, Dr. Davood Muradian, announced that the signing of the Bilateral Strategic Agreement between the US and Afghanistan was almost complete, and this would provide a legal framework for the continued deployment of 20,000 American troops in Afghanistan. He revealed that similar agreements were in the offing with the UK, Germany, Norway and other NATO countries. He also said that in 2014, they would only be a drawdown of NATO forces, not an exit.

Head of the CISS in Islamabad and former ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, said Pakistan and Afghanistan have shared a culture, dreams of development and prosperity, which can be achieved by developing mutual understanding and trust, working together in new era.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, the President of PILDAT, commented on the trilateral relations, saying that the people of Pakistan view China as the most trustworthy friend while the US had damaged its credibility after the Abbottabad incident. He stated that Pakistan’s democratic government had emphasized friendly and cooperative relations with all neighbours, including India and Afghanistan. He further added that India’s primary focus was on the transit trade and that it viewed the China-Pakistan economic corridor with ' interest.'

Mr. Dong Manyuan, Vice President China Institute of International Studies, said that China would enhance bilateral multidimensional cooperation with Afghanistan as neighbours and good friends. Regarding Pakistan, he said the international community must acknowledge the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani people, adding that China supported Pakistan’s strategy to combat terrorism.

During the various sessions, issues in Afghanistan regarding the Indian influence , reconstruction work, regional cooperation and investment opportunities were also discussed. The themes of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the withdrawal of NATO forces in 2014 and its impact on China, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the capacity of the Afghan Army, and the role of the Taliban in the Afghan peace process also came under discussion.

The closing session ended with positive remarks and tremendous appreciation for the intellectually stimulating input by the participants. There was consensus among the scholars that the three neighboring countries should focus on regional peace, stability and development.

All participants lauded this unique joint endeavour of the China Institute of International Studies  and the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI). In addition, it was mutually agreed that PCI would host the 2nd Trilateral Conference on Afghanistan, China and Pakistan in Islamabad in May 2014.