Pakistan’s Ambassador to China: We are an active participant in the Belt and Road Initiative
- Mengya Liu, Hiunam Chin, Furong Jia, Shuo Bu
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E-mail chinagate.cn, August 21, 2017
China.org.cn:
How will Gwadar contribute to the region’s economy and security?
Mr. Masood Khalid:
Gwadar is an important port in terms of its location. It is very close to the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, and it will link up with China. We already have a highway to China, and we are working on upgrading and improving it so that it can become the main artery for trade and business between Pakistan and China. The idea is that exports from China pass along this road, reach Gwadar, and are then transshipped to Africa and Europe. In terms of distance and cost, Gwadar will be very competitive. I am confident that it will gain momentum in the years to come.
We will create a port that will serve the commercial and business interests not only of Pakistan but also of China and of the other countries in the region. The whole of Central Asia is landlocked, and these countries need access to the seas for commerce and trade – we are in the ideal location to provide this. Pakistan and China are mutual neighbors of several Central Asian countries, so I think Gwadar port will give a big impetus to the economic development of the entire region.
We are confident that the port will play an important role in promoting China’s commerce, trade and business through Pakistan to the outside world, and also the reverse. In fact, we have a plan in the future to link Gwadar with Kashgar through energy pipelines and communication infrastructure.
China.org.cn:
China and Pakistan have become all-weather strategic partners. In your opinion, what role will Pakistan play in the Belt and Road Initiative? What are the benefits to Pakistan?
Mr. Masood Khalid:
I think One Belt One Road is a far-reaching initiative in terms of its positive applications for the world. Because when you talk of connectivity and enhanced communication, you are also talking about bringing different countries and different peoples closer to each other. And when you bring people and communities closer to each other, that means you are addressing the roots of conflict, tension, and disputes. Because when people are interconnected and they have a common stake in their future and their economic development, then automatically there is a reduction of tension; there is talk of peace and coexistence. So all in all if you look at this initiative in its totality, I think it will serve the interests of peace and stability, economic development and progress of our respective regions. And that is why it has attracted the attention of a large number of countries, which have committed themselves to advance this project.
And the work has already started. We can see that China’s economic interaction with other regions, like Africa, Latin America, and Europe is booming – there are cargo trains now traveling between China and Europe. So this is a positive development. And I think we live in a world where we see so much turmoil and so much tension and conflict. I think this initiative will serve the cause of international peace, harmony and stability. Of course it will leave positive results, for the economic progress of the countries which are associated with this initiative and of course, Pakistan. We have an excellent relationship with China. It is exemplary and it has grown over time. Today, it is multi-faceted and we feel confident that this journey of friendship will continue in the future. We are an active participant in this initiative, and we are working on this China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project which is a flagship One Belt One Road project.
