Delegation of Chinese Diplomats Visits Pakistan-China Institute
Source : Pakistan-China Institute Date : 18-06-2015 By : Maryam Muhammad
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A delegation of Chinese diplomats, led by Madam Lu Xu (D.D.G Consular affairs) visited the Pakistan-China Institute on June 18, 2015. The delegation was given a warm welcome by Chairman PCI, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, and the institute’s Executive Director Mr. Mustafa Hyder Sayed.
The meeting began with Senator Mushahid describing his long standing passion for China and for the cause of promoting people to people relations between China and Pakistan, which ultimately culminated in the establishment of the Pakistan-China Institute 5 years ago. Director Projects, Ms. Aiza Azam gave a short presentation to apprise the delegation of the projects undertaken by the Institute and the milestones that have been achieved since its establishment. The presentation highlighted in particular the numerous projects PCI has undertaken over the past two years which are pertinent to the One Belt, One Road initiative.
Madam Lu Xu, agreeing with Senator Mushahid, recognized that exchange between research institutes was crucial to the promotion of bilateral relations between China and Pakistan. She stated that the purpose of her visit to the institute was to get to know Pakistan (socially and culturally) and to fully understand the strategic side of Sino-Pak relations. On Madam Lu’s request, Senator Mushahid gave a broad overview of how Pakistan perceived China’s role in the region. He observed that the core of global economic and political power was shifting from the West to the East, and that the 21st century constituted the ‘Asian century’, marked by China’s ascension to power. He referred to China’s rise to power as a source of peace and stability for Asian region. Senator Mushahid also commented that the 21st century was witnessing the emergence of a greater South Asia, which includes China, Myanmar, Iran and Afghanistan. He stated that Pakistan recognizes China as a reliable strategic partner – the relationship between the two countries being unique in International Relations, since both countries are unequal geographically and economically. Despite these differences, both countries approach each other with mutual cooperation and respect. Lastly, Senator Mushahid termed China as being crucial to the return of peace in Afghanistan – the Pakistan, China and Afghanistan triangle key to stability in the region. In this regard, he also highlighted the Pakistan-China Institute’s Trilateral Dialogue initiative which has brought together strategists, diplomats, academicians, etc. from these three countries to work towards identifying pertinent issues and evolving a framework to address those issues through a multilateral cooperative approach. The Beijing Trilateral Dialogue was held in August 2013, and the Islamabad Trilateral Dialogue was held in October 2014. In October 2015, PCI will hold the Kabul Trilateral Dialogue.
Addressing the delegation’s queries, Senator Mushahid traced two trends in Asia to better describe Sino-Pak relations, the first trend being a positive one, of regional economic cooperation, marked by trade, investment, energy and infrastructure. In other words, he said, this trend is a win-win situation for all parties involved. The second trend was a negative one, constituted by the U.S. pivot to Asia and the idea of a ‘containment’ of China. Senator Mushahid emphasized that Asia could not revert to the Cold War mindset, citing the words of President Xi Jinping: “Asia is large enough to accommodate everyone’s interests.” Senator Mushahid stressed that Pakistan was the only country in the world that was fully supportive of all of China’s core interests, without exception.
Thanking Senator Mushahid, Madam Lu agreed with his views, stating that although China was an emerging superpower, it was avoiding power politics characteristic of such countries. According to her, China aspired to be a source of stability for the region, not hegemony. Moreover, she stated that regional neighbors were of utmost importance to China; with regards to Pakistan, China would do anything to ensure that their relationship continued. Madam Lu also pointed out that China had adopted a more ‘active’ foreign policy this year, since a more passive approach to foreign affairs was a potential danger for Chinese interests. Madam Lu observed that most of China’s neighbors knew very little about its social, cultural and political context, and that it was entities like the Pakistan-China Institute that were assisting in educating people about China.