ISLAMABAD – Chinese scholar Dr. Zhang Yifeng on Friday said that China has entered into an era of geo-economic relationship with Pakistan and it plans to boost two-way trade from current $12 billion to $20 billion.
Addressing the participants here at a seminar titled “CPEC: An overview of current developments” held under the aegis of Muslim Institute, the Chinese scholar from Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China, said that
China aims at investing US$ 1.3 trillion dollars in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) member states by year 2027 which would become the single-largest investment by any state to help boost regional and trans-regional connectivity and trade. He said that China, Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has truly become a gateway to prosperity by linking Western China and Pakistan.
Other than Dr. Zhang Yifeng, Prof. Zamir Ahmed Awan from National University of Science & Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Dr. Hassan Yaser Malik, Chartered Member of Institute of logistics & Transportation, UK, Brig. Asif Haroon Raja (R), Defense Analyst, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, Chairman Muslim Institute, Mr. Zafar Bakhtavri, the former President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Li Kaisheng, Deputy Director, Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Zhang said that CPEC is the cornerstone of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which is rooted in the Silk Road. He said CPEC is the spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit.
“BRI provides Pakistan and the surrounding countries great opportunity by giving an integrating platform for over three billion people in Central, West, South Asia as well as Middle East and Africa,” he said.
The Chinese scholar said that CPEC is aimed at boosting economic growth of Pakistan while ensuring energy security, development of agriculture sector along modern lines, establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), tourism development, Human Resource Development, National Integration and Regional Linkages as well as technological innovations.
“Asia remains the epicenter of 21st century transformation as the center of economic power is shifting from the West towards the East. Regional cooperation is becoming the need of the time. Trade and economic cooperation in the backdrop of geopolitical and environment portfolio has increased manifold. Pak-China relationship has reached new heights under the belt and road initiative due to its economic and strategic importance,” he added.
Dr. Li Kaisheng, Deputy Director, Institute of International Relations, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, China, was of the view that irrespective of opposition of CPEC from some corners, geo-political scenario is fast changing and things are brightening up for Pakistan after its long hard journey.
He said Russia wants to join CPEC and is warming up with Pakistan and establishing military ties with it. “China and Russia are strategic partners and boosting their respective strategic ties with Pakistan. Successive governments will have to remain focused as well as committed until the completion of projects in hand,” he added.
He said that provinces should focus on completion of industrial parks, railway lines and to make Gwadar Port operational as early as possible.
“Gwadar-Chahbahar Ports should complement each other to derive mutual gains. To ensure cooperation, Iran-Pakistan will have to strengthen bilateral relations. For Iran mired in troubles, CPEC provides a window of opportunity to break its international isolation,” he added. Dr Li said the CPEC connected to Gwadar has the potential to radically alter the regional dynamics of trade, development and politics. “CPEC is a game changer for the entire region. It will uplift the lives of about 3 billion people across China, Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East,” he concluded.
