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:
We are excited to hear that 70th anniversary of Pakistan is just around the corner, so we are curious to know what kind of celebrations are planned and what you expect for the China-Pakistan relationship in the long term?
Mr. Masood Khalid:
Thank you very much. This is an important year for Pakistan. It’s our 70th anniversary. The nation is confident, the nation is resilient. For the last three years or so, we have acted with firm resolve to deal with some of the challenges we face. We have put up a determined fight against terrorism and extremism. And we have largely succeeded on that front for the last three years or so. On the economic front, Pakistan has shown promise. Its economy has improved. It has great potential. It has almost 200 million people – the sixth most populous country in the world. Its location is ideal; you can see it is a bridge between different regions. And it is a hub for economic growth and business. We are between two big nation neighbors. We are close to the Middle East, we are a neighbor of Iran, Central Asia is next door, and Russia is not far off. This gives Pakistan a natural advantage to promote regional economic growth. Pakistan’s resources are enormous, and as yet largely untapped.
We need to exploit the full potential of Pakistan. And in terms of foreign policy, in terms of our foreign neighbors, we believe in peaceful coexistence. We believe in peace with our neighbors for our own growth and development. We do not want enmity with anyone. We want peace and friendship. And I think this is the overarching objective of Pakistan – to live and let live. China is a friendly country, a strategic partner and a partner with whom we relate in terms of people to people interaction and friendship, and the affection that we have for each other.
China.org.cn:
On behalf of our audiences and readers, let me say congratulations to Pakistan.
Mr. Masood Khalid:
Thank you. On our Independence Day on 14th August there will be celebrations in Pakistan and also in other countries, including China. We have a flag-hoisting ceremony in which the Pakistani community and our Chinese friends will participate. So you are most welcome.
China.org.cn:
China.org.cn is launching its Belt and Road Initiative website with both a Chinese and an English version. We would be honored if you will post a few words in support of China.org.cn and the new website.
Mr. Masood Khalid:
I congratulate you on launching your website. Let me say that China and Pakistan have traveled a difficult journey in the last 65 or 70 years as active partners and friends together. We have overcome many challenges, because of the determination and commitment of our peoples. I admire the progress that China has achieved in the last four decades or so. And we feel happy to see your progress. As far as your website is concerned, I hope it will continue to play an active role in promoting and strengthening the friendship between Pakistan and China, and I would like to transmit to your website this message of friendship to the younger generation in China, which should know the value of our friendship. How much we have struggled together, to build this friendship, and why this friendship is important, for the world, for our two countries, for our region, because this partnership is not against any third party, this partnership is for peace, stability and development. So this is my massage, and I wish to thank you once again and congratulate you. (Zhong Ba You Yi Wan Sui中巴友谊万岁).
