PEOPLE'S DAILY DELEGATION OF JOURNALISTS VISITS PCI
Source : Our staff Date : 24-09-2014 By : PCI
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Islamabad: A delegation of journalists from People’s Daily China lead byMr. Du Haitao from Economy and Social Department, Ms. Wang Jue, from Politics and Culture Department, Mr. Yang Xun, Local correspondent of People’s Daily and Mr. Xu Wei visited Pakistan China Institute (PCI) on September 23, 2014 to discuss the Maritime Silk Road Project and Pak-China Economic Corridor’s importance for bilateral relations of Pakistan and China.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed gave a detailed briefing about Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road Project and its regional importance specifically the vital role this project can play in building and strengthening Pakistan’s economy, infrastructure, culture, energy, trade and communications. Chairman said that 21st century is Asian Century. And in this Asian century one strong pillar is “Peaceful rise of China”. We see China as second largest economy after U.S. Most regional countries specifically Pakistan sees “Peaceful China” as source of strength, stability and development.
Pakistan is also concerned about “Regional Economic Cooperation”. This can be achieved through cooperation in economy, energy, trade, communication and can be reinforced by road links, rail links and pipelines of peace and prosperity.
Senator said that the nations along the Silk Road have a 3 billion population and a market that is “unparalleled” both in scale and potential, therefore countries in the economic zone should endeavor to improve traffic connectivity so as to open strategic regional thorough fares from the Pacific to the Baltic by developing a transportation network that interconnects Eastern, Central, Western and Southern Asia.
Chairman told the delegation that Pakistan-China Economic Corridor is of immense importance for Pakistan. It is extra vital for the revival of Pakistan’s economy. He said Silk Road project is a factor of national unity as it will unite people of Pakistan with people of China.Both countries are taking initiatives to promote and get benefits from this project. Gawadar port is recently being handed to Chinese company to operate. China is already involved in port projects in Gwadar, Pakistan; Hambantota, Sri Lanka and Chittagong in Bangladesh. For next 5-7 years China and Pakistan are going to work on 30 billion dollar worth projects regarding infrastructure development, economy and energy.
Senator shared his opinion and said, this century is going to observe economic-cultural power shift from Europe and America to Asia and these projects are part of that shift. In next ten years there will be alternative to World Bank and that would be Asian Development Bank (ADB). For last 50 years World Bank has manipulated the world’s economy but now time is changing. Now cultural and economic revival is going to happen. After World War 2 we saw a world dominated by West (London and America) but in the beginning of 21st century we are observing rise of Asia, and for this rise of Asia, Pakistan-china relations are pivotal.
“China’s strength is Asia’s strength and Asia’s strength is Pakistan’s strength.” Chairman remarked.
Editor, Youlin Magazine Dr. DushkaSaiyid, gave the presentation about Youlin magazine content. She told the participants that Youlin is joint venture of the Pakistan-China Institute with the Xinjiang Association for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, based in the Chinese city of Urumqi, which is the capital of Xinjiang province. This magazine has editorial contents from both sides and focuses on culture, education, media, cuisine, history, heritage, youth, women, and other areas of topical interest for readers in China and Pakistan.
In July 2012, PCI launched the website, youlinmagazine.com. It is bilingual - in both the English and Chinese languages – and is entirely a PCI product. The concept behind both the magazine and the website is to bridge the socio-cultural gap between the Chinese and Pakistani people; as such, articles are themed largely on the contemporary cultural scene in both countries.
Associate Editor Youlin Magazine, Ms. AizaAzam gave briefing about her recent visit to 4th China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi. She represented PCI at Eurasia News Media Forum by giving four points suggestions related to role of media on collaboration of regional countries to promote Economic Silk Road Belt.
She said media should:
(i) Provide in-depth and sustained coverage to all initiatives that form a part of this development venture.
(ii) Search out personal stories of the areas and regions that lie along the Economic Belt, to give a face to a vague concept.
(iii) Develop a narrative of regional cooperation; a consequence of this would be to create a sense of regional identity.
(iv) Networking and close collaboration for a coordinated effort in highlighting its successes. These four recommendatory points were well-received by media of other countries.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed highlighted that Pakistan supports China’s concerns and reasons without any cause or difference. Pakistan’s core interest is unity and territorial integrity with China. Unlike India, Vietnam and Philippines, Pakistan has no border or other clashes with China. We support and welcome peaceful rise of China.
China is moving towards development under the leadership of Communist Party, which is good for China and we strongly support stability of China as well as stability of Communist Party. Just like China is vital for Pakistan’s energy, security and economy likewise Pakistan is also important for China. It’s a win-win, mutual relation.