Ambassador: 'strong momentum' for Sino-Pak relations
- By Li Shen, Xu Lin
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, August 31, 2012
Friendship between China and Pakistan has stood the test of time in a continuously transforming world, Pakistan Ambassador to China Masood Khan told China.org.cn reporter in an exclusive interview on Aug. 28.
"The momentum between China and Pakistan relations is very strong," Ambassador Khan said. However, both countries need to maintain this momentum and have to work harder to take their relationship to new heights. To this regard, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and particularly the relations between the peoples of the two countries should be enhanced, he added.
In the past few years, the two sides have maintained vigorous high-level political dialogue. In the past four years, the president of Pakistan had visited China nine times and former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited China five times. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Pakistan in December 2010, Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang visited in June 2010 and State Councilor Dai Bingguo visited in December 2011.
Newly elected Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, who assumed office on June 23, will visit China next month. "[Ashraf's] visit is important because of the official contacts with the Chinese leadership," Khan said.
Shortly after his election, Ashraf delivered a speech at the parliament house in Islamabad, vowing to further enhance the nation's ties with China. Khan emphasized that Ashraf will keep his word to strengthen bilateral ties.
"Towards China there is always a continuity to work harder to develop the relations between the two countries, and that's what the new prime minister is doing. He is committed to promote this relationship to a new height." Khan said, "High-level political exchanges has strengthened and fortified the relations between our two countries. We will maintain and reinforce the ties in the years to come."
A decade ago, the total volume of China-Pakistan trade was only about US$2 billion. But in 2011, the total volume of bilateral trade reached a sum of US$10.6 billion. China became Pakistan's largest trading partner in 2011. Pakistan is currently China's second largest trade partner in South Asia. Both countries have set a goal for US$15 billion in bilateral trade by 2015.
"The present volume of trade is not high enough," Khan said. "We need a revolution of thought to work on the expansion of economic and trade relations. So they can match the kind of strong political partnership and strategic partnership that we have. "
He hoped that both sides can work together to fully utilize their free trade agreements on goods, investment and services they signed in 2006. "We have requested the Chinese government and private sector to help us strengthen our capacity in processing and manufacturing, textiles, leather, garments, and also in the light engineering sector," he said.
Although Pakistan has been running a bilateral trade deficit, its exports to China have been increasing over the past two years. "It is encouraging," Khan said. "In 2010, there was an increase of 37 percent and last year we saw [an increase of] 22 percent."
According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC), a three-member Chinese delegation recently visited Pakistan to conclude an agreement to order 100 tons of Pakistan mangoes. "We are very thankful to Chinese government that they have sent official Chinese missions to go to Pakistan, and identified a product that can find a market here in China." Khan said.
"Another field that we benefit from China's techniques and expertise is hybrid seeds. China has made great efforts on developing hybrid seeds of cotton, wheat, and corn. We have cooperated with Chinese agricultural institutions on this field," he said.
China and Pakistan decided to establish agricultural demonstration zones in Pakistan during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Pakistan in December 2010. "It's a fantastic idea that will enhance our agricultural communications." Khan said.
MOC statistics show that China had invested an accumulated US$1.37 billion in Pakistan by 2010.
On China's investment in Pakistan's infrastructure, Khan introduced the latest development of China-Pakistan Railway. "The pre-feasibility study has been done. It has been discussed by both sides. The link of the railway is not very long but the range it will pass is very difficult. The altitude is very high and there are mountains," he said. "This new link will enhance the economic ties between China and Pakistan as well as create a new link between East and South Asia. It is good for the entire region, including India."
Khan also talked about the Karakoram Highway, connecting northern Pakistan to western China. "We are also working on upgrading and rebuilding part of the highway which was damaged by a dammed lake caused by a natural disaster several years ago."
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)