Naghmana Naheed

27th Nov, 2022. 09:30 am

National Rejuvenation

Both Pakistan and China are conscious of the emerging challenges arising from geo-economic, geo-strategic realignments

A lot of praise and admiration is due to the Communist Party of China for successively steering China. The Communist Party of China celebrated 100 years of its creation last year during which China proudly achieved the first centennial goal of the elimination of extreme poverty from China. This is a feat unmatched in human history where 100 million people were lifted out of poverty in the shortest possible time.

Not only this, under the brilliant leadership of the CPC, China perfected 5G technology, landed a rover on Mars, landed on the dark side of the moon, won the peoples’ war against COVID 19 and emerged as the only country with a strong bounce back of economy showing impressive positive growth.

  1. The establishment of Communist Party of China 101 years ago was a seminal event in the last century which heralded the beginning of a new chapter in world history. CPC’s momentous struggle for the establishment of New China instilled the people of developing world with a fresh hope and left an indelible impression on the global landscape.
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  3. I would also like to congratulate CPC for successfully holding the 20th National Congress in October this year, clearly setting the Agenda for the next five years besides confidently marching towards further consolidating the gains of the last over 70 years and leading China to greater heights of glory. The re-election of President Xi for a third consecutive term as the Secretary General of the Communist Party of China is testament to the wisdom and leadership of President Xi Jingping and the overwhelming support of the people of China in both the CPC and President Xi to continue to lead the country in the right direction.
  4. In the last over 70 years of its establishment, New China led by CPC, has left a blazing trail of remarkable achievements in all walks of human endeavour. Under the stewardship of CPC Chinese nation is well on its path to achieve the dream of Great Rejuvenation of Chinese Nation by the middle of this century and achieve the second centennial goal of establishing a moderately developed society by 2049. This dream is a manifest destiny for China befitting its ancient civilization, humane values and its potential as a major world power.
  5. It would not be wrong to say that the CPC has successfully adapted itself and the policy direction of China to the ever changing realities of geopolitics and geo-economics. We have seen how since 1990s, the CCP has shown a technocratic capacity to respond to the developmental stresses brought on by China’s rapid economic rise. Today, the party has harnessed the rewards of globalization and economic development, lifting tens of millions of people out of poverty. The CCP has reimagined itself as a driver of change, guiding the country’s path to wealth and fueling a sentiment of national pride.
  6. It is also important to note that President Xi’s focus during his rule was on developing a strong economic base enabling the government to deliver on the uplift of the people and develop a modern and prosperous society, for which he elaborated his vision. He also expressed firm resolve to achieve the rejuvenation of the motherland by 2049 which means the complete reunification of all the Islands with the mainland including Taiwan, thus achieving the second centennial goal of China. His focus remained squarely on fair distribution of resources among the people, further developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, Education, particularly in science and technology for high quality development, reform of the armed forces to make them lean and technologically advanced to meet any unforeseen threats and ensuring the unity of command and the Communist Party of China as it approaches the goal of rejuvenation.
  7. President Xi celebrated the party’s continued efforts to eradicate COVID as a major achievement insisted the approach of zero Covid policy had “protected people’s safety and health to the highest degree”. He highlighted as success his graft crackdown, stating that the anti-corruption campaign had eliminated “serious latent dangers” within the Communist Party, the military and the state. “The fight against corruption has won an overwhelming victory and has been comprehensively consolidated,” he said. The resolve and determination of the communist party and its leader on these successes has lessons for other countries to emulate for safeguarding the interests of society and the state.
  8. President Xi also announced from the Party platform that China would “actively participate in global governance on climate change”. He also reiterated that China opposed a “Cold War mentality” in international diplomacy. This is a clear indication of the future peaceful engagement of China with the world away from war and confrontation.
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  10. Under the guidance of CPC, China has also clearly displayed its military capabilities both during border skirmishes with India and the recent standoff in the Taiwan straits. China’s communication, big data and AI capabilities are unmatched leading to heightened concerns about China’s peaceful rise and its military ambitions. While the Chinese are sagacious and farsighted people with legendry patience, they are also a civilizational power and seek their rightful place in the world-washing away the humiliation of one hundred years under occupation.
  11. Pakistan enjoys an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China and as President Xi says, “Iron Brothers”. President Xi has invested a lot of money and energy in strengthening relationship with Pakistan including the launching of the CPEC project which is considered the buckle of BRI and Gwadar Port its Crown Jewel.
  12. CPEC as the flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative is the unmistakable symbol of this abiding friendship and occupies a pivotal position in the development agenda of Pakistan. CPEC has immense strategic significance for Pakistan and has already helped Pakistan lay a strong infrastructure for subsequent development of our industry, agriculture and human resource. Pakistan is one of the earliest supporters and participants of New Silk Road concept symbolized by the Belt and Road Initiative.
  13. As a flagship project of the BRI, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has already achieved phenomenal success by laying a solid foundation of infrastructure in energy and transport sectors. Building upon this foundation, Phase II of CPEC would now focus on socio-economic development and poverty alleviation for a robust, sustainable and inclusive growth for Pakistan and the whole region at large. The ever-increasing economic and trade integration between Pakistan and China has made our two economies increasingly inter-dependent especially in the context of CPEC.
  14. It is a matter of immense satisfaction and pride that this fabled bond of friendship has grown from strength to strength irrespective of the vicissitudes of times and adverse geo-political developments. This fabled friendship was forged in the crucible of time and has gone beyond the traditional parameters of a bilateral relationship. It has now transformed into a broad-based, long term and strategic relationship which has set a new model for inter-state relations in world history.
  15. Pakistan’s relation with China have never been transactional. This is the only relationship that has consistently maintained an upward trajectory. From the very beginning and particularly since the 1960s, the two countries began to forge a close relationship of understanding that has been remarkably constant despite the vicissitudes of momentous changes the domestic and international politics both at the regional and global level
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  17. This relationship has withstood the test of time and continues to demonstrate incredible stability and retain its strategic quality. Pakistan and China have stood by each other through good and bad times. We have supported each other, whether it is bilaterally or in the international arena. Pakistan has throughout firmly supported the one-China principle. And similarly, China has consistently supported us on all our core issues including Kashmir.
  18. Both Pakistan and China are conscious of the new and emerging challenges arising from geo-economic and geo-strategic realignments. Looking at the future, a more robust, inclusive and all-encompassing relations between Pakistan and China would not only serve the best interest of our two countries but would also ensure peace and stability for the entire region. Both countries should aim to build an even more robust and meaningful cooperation and collaboration in line with the principles set forth by the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-neighbourly Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed in 2005, the Joint Statement of November 2018 and other bilateral documents focusing on long-term development of relations. In the coming decades, our strong bilateral ties should continue to synergize with emerging regional and global trends for sustainable development and lasting peace.
  19. Both Pakistan and China are conscious of the new and emerging challenges arising from geo-economic and geo-strategic realignments. Looking at the future, a more robust, inclusive and all-encompassing relations between Pakistan and China would not only serve the best interest of our two countries but would also ensure peace and stability for the entire region. Both countries should aim to build an even more robust and meaningful cooperation and collaboration in line with the principles set forth by the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-neighbourly Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed in 2005, the Joint Statement of November 2018 and other bilateral documents focusing on long-term development of relations. In the coming decades, our strong bilateral ties should continue to synergize with emerging regional and global trends for sustainable development and lasting peace.

The writer is a former Ambassador to China, the EU and Ireland

 

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