by Yasir Habib Khan

 

China Acting Consul General Lahore Peng Zhengwu said “a century ago, at the time of its founding, the Communist Party of China (CPC) had just over 50 members. Today, with more than 95 million members in a country of more than 1.4 billion people, it is the largest governing party in the world and enjoys tremendous international influence,”.  

 

He was addressing a seminar titled CPC 100 years and Pak-China saga” organized by the Institute of International Relations and Media Research (IIRMR) at a local hotel. IIRMR chairman Muhammad Mehdi, President Yasir Habib Khan, PU Pro VC Saleem Mazhar, Prof Amjad Magsi and others also spoke on the occasion.  

 

Under this ultimate theme, the acting consul general said that CPC has saved China from the plight of poverty, weakness and being bullied by foreign forces, which had lasted for more than one hundred years after modern times, thus opening a new era in Chinese history. 

 

“Thanks to CPC, the Chinese people have truly become the master of their country, society and their destiny. Since the reform and opening up in 1978, 770 million people have been lifted out of poverty, an achievement representing 70 percent of the global poverty reduction effort. China has become the first developing country in the world to attain the poverty reduction goal in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals,” he added.  

 

He said that it is through the continued efforts of the whole Party and the entire nation that China has realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. 

 

Of course, he said that CPC is not only a party that seeks happiness for the Chinese people, but also a party that strives for the cause of human progress. The CPC attaches great importance to the development of exchanges and cooperation with all Pakistani political parties. CPC will continue to support each other with Pakistan’s political parties on issues related to the core interests and major concerns of the two countries, exchange political experience and learn from each other. 

 

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations. Over the past 70 years, the China-Pakistan friendship has grown steadily, and it has always been an outstanding example of friendly coexistence between countries with different social systems, different histories and cultures. In 2015, President Xi paid a historic visit to Pakistan, elevating China-Pakistan relations to an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, opening a new chapter in China-Pakistan friendship.  In the face of the sudden Covid-19 epidemic, China and Pakistan have always stood together and helped each other.

 

Peking University Director Urdu Department Dr. Ms Zhang Jiamei said that both Pakistan and China, being old and trustworthy neighbors, are blossoming with zeal of friendship. “Pakistan has an exclusive geostrategic location on the globe. Given its positioning, it connects the East and the West,” she added. In 1951, Ms Zhang said that both countries established their diplomatic ties formally and since then bilateral cooperation and synergic coordination are in full swing. 

 

During 70 years’ thick and thin, she said that their relations continue to deepen in a steady and seamless manner. As time progresses, their friendship is proven and time-tested, he added. After government to government relations and mutual diplomatic vision, both have unleashed new dynamism of cooperation on people to people contact and cultural exchanges, she opined.  

 

She said that China as a peaceful country is forging ahead for peace and prosperity of all human kind. “Now after accomplishing CPEC phase 1, CPEC phase 11 has taken both countries’ economic links to new heights,” she pointed out. On Covid-19 spread and deadliness, she said that only by respecting science and joint cooperation without any prejudice, the challenge of Pandemic can be coped with. 

 

IIRMR chairman, also a known politician and expert on Chinese affairs, Muhammad Mehdi and IIRMR president Yasir Habib Khan jointly felicitated China on CPC 100 years ago, saying CPC life saw four phases. “First constituted struggle phase from 1921 (CPC creation) to 1949 (Founding of China). The second phase made up revolution in 1980 dedicated to nurturing a nation. The third phase came into being from reforms & opening up to the era of President Xi Jinping. The fourth period pivots President Xi’s continuation as a great leader with introducing new economic vision, BRI and shared destiny ending extreme poverty in China.” 

 

Mr Mehdi applauded President Xi's policy vision in which President Xi said that the party wanted to engage other political parties to take more active role in tackling world problems and not export the China Model.

 

Shedding light on Pak-China relations, he said that they also are structured on three stages. Pak-China delegations exchanges started during former PM Liaqat Ali Khan’s regime. Ayub Khan-Yahya Khan witnessed military cooperation. Former PM Nawaz Sharif ear deepened relations with launch of CPEC and strategic ties in third phase.  

 

He underlined the need for dispelling impression of CPEC slowdown, saying impetus may be given by invoking pending JCC meeting and melting ice on ML-1 impasse. Economic and strategic partnerships demand further galvanization to let people feel better.   

 

Punjab University Pro VC Dr Saleem Mazhar acknowledged the role of CPC in developing China and liberating a huge number of people from poverty.  PU Prof Dr. Amjad Abbas Magsi said that CPC has drawn its legitimacy not only by founding the People's Republic of China but by taking China out of shakels of poverty. 

 

Punjab University (Film and Broadcasting Department) Chairperson Associate Prof Lubna Zaheer said that Pak-China relations are rooted in the hearts and minds of both sides public. “China as a true friend is on who stands by Pakistan on the Kashmir issue,” she mentioned. If CPEC is steered perfectly, Pakistan's fate is destined to change, she added.