BEIJING, March 18 (APP) The Pakistan Embassy here on Thursday organized a day-long seminar on Pakistan-China Relations in the 21st Centre which was largely participated by scholars, academicians, diplomats and students from various universities.In his opening remarks, former Foreign Minister and ex-Ambassador to China Dr. Inamul Haque said that “Friend is regarded when you are in need of friend” and Sino-Pak relations fully stood test of the time.
He said that the leadership of both countries is committed to promote these bonds of friendship as the unique friendship is also source of economic development and stability in the region.
A career diplomat Dr. Haque told the audience that the economic cooperation among the two countries is going stronger and stronger with the passage of time and in this connection he specially mentioned the implementation of Free Trade Agreement.
The Assistance Foreign Minister of China Mr. Hu Zhengye in his speech eulogized the importance of holding of the seminar and said that Pakistan and China were always friends and these bonds of friendship span over five-decades.
“The tree of friendship has deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of people of both the countries”, Hu remarked.
He held that Pakistan and China are truly good neighbor, good friends and good partners.
The development of Sino-Pak friendship is priorities of China, he added.
In the 21st century Mr. Hu said these ties would further grow.
Welcoming the participates, the Ambassador of Pakistan to China Masood Khan expressing his gratitude to Mr. Hu for attending the seminar despite being multiple and pressing engagements said that under his leadership the department of Asia of Chinese Foreign Ministry giving enormous support to Pakistan as well as Sino-Pak relations.
“Pakistan-China relations are strong and resilient thanks to the wisdom and foresight of our leaders and skilful management of these relations over the decades”, Khan noted.
Over a dozen scholars, academicians, diplomats and ex-Chinese ambassador s to Pakistan spoke in details and shared their happy memories with the audience said that the projects including Karakarum Highway, Gwadar port , construction of JF-17 fighter planes with the cooperation of China are the few shining examples of cooperative relations between Pakistan and China.
The seminar was spread in two sessions, the first part was devoted to economic cooperation between Pakistan and China while the second session the speakers spoke on regional situation and the challenges.
Dr. Inamul Haque, spoke on Pakistan-China relations including economic aspects, Prof. Zhang Guihong of Fudan University talked on “Why Does Pakistan Matter to China?”, while Prof. Chen Jidong of Sichuan University touched upon “China-Pakistan Cooperation in the 21st Century”.
Mr. Fazalur Rahman of Institute of Strategic Studies spoke on Sino-Pakistan Relations –Further prospects.
The former Governor of State Bank of Pakistan and at present Dean and Director of IBA Dr. Ishrat Hussain spoke in details on “Pakistan’s Economic Prospects. Challenges and Opportunities”.
Prof. Wen Fude of Sichuan University threw lights on “Expanding Sino-Pak Economic Cooperation.
In the after-noon session as many as seven scholars spoke on various subjects besides they also answered questions from the university students who were specially invited for the occasion.