- Nawaz suggests non-interference, confidence to resolve conflicts peacefully
- President Xi’s vision to connect Asia, Africa, Europe and entire world
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday while stressing the need for resolving conflicts amicably said that Pakistan endeavours to foster a culture of peace and explore all avenues of cooperation with neighbours.
“This is not the time for fuelling ideological warfare or fomenting divisions,” he said in his address at the launch of Urdu edition of President Xi Jinping’s book – Governance in China – here at the PM Office. “Now we have this historic opportunity to address apprehensions of our neighbours, to practice non-interference, to build confidence and to use all instruments of diplomacy to resolve conflicts peacefully,” he said.
Multilateral institutions like the United Nations should play a more active role to eliminate poverty worldwide, empower people and fight the distant and emerging situations, he added. “President Xi demonstrates how important it is to forge peaceful relations as a precursor for strong economic ties between neighbours, within regions and across continents,” he said.
He said that China’s concept of peaceful development envisages secure prosperous and friendly neighbourhood. He said that this coincides with Pakistan’s own endeavours to foster a culture of peace and of regional and international relations that avoids strife and explores all avenues of cooperation.
He said that President Xi was China’s great leader and a steadfast friend of Pakistan. He said that President Xi’s book was not just about high politics, but dwelled on moving stories of common man, hard work and family values. He said that the peaceful development of China had stimulated peaceful rise of the world. President Xi’s book was as much about Chinese and a global dream, he said.
He said that the book captured rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and giving details how the Chinese experience of governance was unique and also had universal applications too. He said that it was a lesson for other nations as well to build themselves with inherent national characteristics.
Prime Minister Nawaz termed CPEC a symbol and icon for togetherness. “It threatens no one, it benefits all, most of all the common man who shall see a boom in jobs and businesses and a positive change in their lives.” He said it was a matter of satisfaction that investors from the developed countries have shown confidence in the CPEC and keen interest to invest in Pakistan.
He said the CPEC model needs to be replicated in other regions. The prime minister said that President Xi’s vision includes several other corridors that would connect Asia, Africa and Europe and the entire world. “Let’s build on that successful experiment of cooperation and connectivity and propagate its merits.”
“We cherish President Xi’s unfailing love and affection for Pakistan which he showed, when he visited Pakistan two years ago and also on many other occasions.” The prime minister said that the rich content of this book was both enlightening and inspiring as President Xi shares his reflections and thoughts with wisdom, empathy and kindness.
He described Mushahid Hussain Sayed as a flagbearer of Pakistan-China friendship. “Mushahid has done admirable work in clearing some of the misperceptions about the CPEC projects in purely national interest,” he said. “People like him, rise above political considerations and focus on a national agenda, are an asset,” he said and hoped he would continue his good work.
Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong highlighted the salient features of the book and said it details the governance in China and the achievements made by the country. He said that the book was reflective of the vision of President Xi who was the top leader of the Chinese Communist Party. He said both countries were promoting the dream of everlasting diplomatic relation with equality, trust and respect.
The Governance of China is a 516-page collection of 79 of Xi’s speeches, interviews, instructions and correspondence. The book has 45 biographical pictures and the chapters look at China’s economic development, ecology and the unfolding anti-corruption campaign.
In a meeting with Jiang Jianguo, director of the State Council Information Office of China, at the PM Office, Prime Minister Nawaz said that China’s progress in the last three decades was a model for developing countries. Pakistan and China were iron brothers and the relations between the two countries were raised to an even higher level, he said.
He said that Pakistan deeply appreciated China’s commitment to the realisation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was a flagship project of China’s One Belt-One Road initiative. He said he was looking forward to attend the forthcoming Belt and Road Conference in China in May.
He mentioned that Urdu language was being taught in seven Chinese universities while Chinese language was also being taught in major educational institutions of Pakistan. Jiang Jianguo thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his visit to Pakistan.