Pakistan-China relationship an anchor for peace and stability in the region

Director China-Radio International (CRI), Islamabad Chen Xiang (Shaheen) says Pakistan-China relationship has turned into an all-weather cooperative partnership, which is an anchor for peace and stability in the entire South Asian region.

In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan’s News and Current Affairs Channel this afternoon (Thursday), he said multifaceted and strategic cooperation between the two countries is characterized by feelings of mutual trust, respect and goodwill towards each other. He said the two counties are coordinating at multi-lateral and regional forums, and supporting each other on the basis of their core interests.

Talking about the 70th anniversary celebrations regarding establishment of Pak-China diplomatic ties, he said successive generations of leaders and people of Pakistan and China made “invaluable” contributions towards strengthening relations between the two nations.  He said both Beijing and Islamabad should work together to overcome common challenges, including poverty and hunger.

Chen Xiang Shaheen said strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Beijing has grown over the past several decades, adding China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and a major investor, especially in infrastructure and energy sectors.

Replying to a question, the director CRI said Pakistan and China Defence collaboration forms the backbone of the relationship and cooperation spans high-level military exchanges, structured defence and security talks, joint exercises, training of personnel in each other’s institutions, joint defence production and trade.

The Director CRI said the militaries of the two countries have institutionalized three tiers of bilateral consultations to enable close cooperation at all levels.  There is an extensive range of cooperation, including joint ventures, for the production of military equipment, aircraft, submarines and tanks. He said China is also a recipient of the largest number of military officials from Pakistan for training purposes.

Chen Xiang Shaheen  further said Chinese leadership is keen to inform the world about the latest reforms made by Beijing and policies to further enhance standard of general public and bringing their less developed areas at par with economically and socially developed parts. He said Chinese experiences have become a lesson for the rest of world to emulate.

Talking about the significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Director CRI expressed the confidence that a multibillion-dollar flagship project will open new era of economic cooperation between the two countries. He said the project will not only benefit China and Pakistan, but will have positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, India, Central Asian Republics, and the broader region. The enhancement of geographical linkages having improved road, rail and air transportation system with frequent people-to-people contacts will result into a well connected, integrated region of shared destiny, harmony and development.

The Director CRI-Islamabad said the CPEC aims at enhancing connectivity and improving infrastructure between the two countries, adding that several projects are being implemented under this multi-billion project for enhancement of infrastructure and generation of energy.

Replying to a question about Radio China International, Chen Xiang Shaheen said CRI was established on 3rd December 1941, which broadcasts news reports, sports events, and entertainment and lifestyle programmes for domestic listeners.

Talking about the performance of Communist Party of China, the Director CRI said people of China are fully happy and satisfied with performance of President Xi Jinpng, who has devoted his entire life to resolve issues and problems of poor and marginalized segments of society. He said the current Chinese government has launched various development projects to put the country on path of development.

Replying to another question, the CRI Director said China, since its establishment, always supported and endorsed Pakistan’s stance on all regional issues, including Kashmir dispute.  He underlined the need of peaceful and negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue in line with the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions.

He said when 2008’s massive earthquake jolted China, Pakistani leadership extended hand of cooperation and assistance to China in the testing times, which shows Islamabad’s sincerity.

Expressing views on media-related relations between Beijing and Islamabad, the CRI Director underlined the need of exchanging media delegations between the two countries.  He also lauded the role of Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television in promoting soft image of China at global level through various initiatives and programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, FM 98 Station Managar Tahir Mehmood said CRI and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) jointly launched transmission of FM-98 channel to enhance its access with Pakistani listeners in 2016.  He informed that the channel gives news of Pakistan-China’s interest, media reports and other entertainment programmes for youth, kids and women on daily basis.

Earlier, Director CRI Islamabad Chen Xiang Shaheen held a meeting with Director News PBC Muhammad Tariq Chaudhary and exchanged views on matters of bilateral interest. He also visited various sections of the News Department and interacted with staff members.