Chinese envoy lauds PM Imran’s vision for South Asia

— ‘China is furthering the objective of peace, prosperity and economic development under Belt and Road Initiative’

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing has lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision for peace and prosperity in South Asia, stating that the new government’s direction is clear and its resolve to play a positive role for development in the region is appreciable.

“Pakistan is an important and active member of the Pakistan Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Friendship Forum and it has always played a key role in establishment of regional peace and stability,” the ambassador said while addressing the audience at a seminar titled, ‘Shanghai Cooperation Organization After Qingdao Summit’.

“Qingdao Summit of Heads of States was an important milestone as the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ was revisited with a new enthusiasm and vitality through resolve for the shared destiny and economic wellbeing of regional countries. Also because Pakistan and India have joined the grouping as permanent member countries,” Yao Jing said.

Further elaborating, the Chinese ambassador said the SCO offers equal opportunities to the entire region and the inclusion of the new member states has strengthen the basic shanghai spirit as well.

“The key focus of the organization is security and development. During the chairmanship of China last year, much emphasis was on the strengthening the security and development of the region,” he said.

Ambassador Yao Jing said China was also offering more than 3,000 training programmes in different dimensions and fields of expertise at the platform of SCO, adding that China has played a constructive role in the development of the organization at various levels during its chairmanship.

“Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a forum where several member countries of the SCO are also part of various economic corridors under the initiative. China is furthering the objective of peace, prosperity with shared destiny of economic development under the BRI,” he added.

As the chairmanship of SCO has now moved to Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy of Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan Aibek Tilebaliev highlighted the vision and mission of the country during its chairmanship in SCO and stated that the country was focusing on achieving economic, security and cultural cooperation among SCO countries.

He also announced that the SCO bank of development, which would aim to invest in transport and transit connectivity and energy, would open in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Also addressing the seminar, which was jointly organized by Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Pakistan Shanghai Cooperation Organization Friendship Forum, Sarghoda University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad said that he was optimistic about Pakistan and India’s presence in SCO. “This will provide ample support to help resolve various outstanding disputes including Kashmir and will create an atmosphere of peace and prosperity in the region,” he added.

Professor Dr Muhammad Khan of International Islamic University Islamabad on the occasion said that that the world was transforming from unipolarity to multi-polarity. He stressed that Pakistan needs to take the benefit out of latest trends and SCO is one platform where the country can play a constructive role for the promotion of peace and prosperity.

Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies President Farhat Asif briefed the audience about the key aspects and role of organization in development and promotion and diplomatic relations.