Zoon Ahmad Khan (Journalist, Beijing): The visit of Prime minister is happening at a time when 20th National Congress of the Communist Party just concluded and Chinese government invited a select few world leaders. During this visit, Prime Minister is to meet senior Chinese leadership and discuss bilateral issues as well as increasing cooperation in various areas. A new pillar of China, Pakistan friendship is China Pakistan Economic Corridor which has become an example for many countries of the world. It is one of the most successful projects of Chinese government’s One Belt and One Road Initiative. The PM’s visit will push forward work on this vital project and will also help increase people to people contacts. Chinese model for development is based on their unique circumstances. For other countries to emulate this model, they need to mold it to their peculiar circumstances. China lifted millions of people from poverty and developed their backward areas, and Pakistan can learn a lot from Chinese experience. The other countries can take cue from it and need to think the development holistically. Chinese people consider Pakistan their true friend and iron brother. This friendship spans over many decades. Many common Chinese are closely following the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with many Chinese companies that have a deep interest to cultivate business links with Pakistan.
Dr. Zafar Malik (Journalist, Beijing): It is a very important visit of the Prime Minister to the brotherly country China. High level Chinese officials warmly welcomed the Pakistani delegation upon arrival. Tomorrow, he will meet with Chinese business delegations as well as representatives of Chinese companies working in Pakistan. In the evening, he is to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Li Keqiang. During his talks at various levels, Prime Minister is likely to include various new areas of cooperation in CPEC. A number of MoUs and agreements are to be signed during the meetings. This visit is very important in terms of economic collaboration, and ties between the two countries. Prime Minister will also attend the business forum where representatives of a number of Chinese companies will be in attendance and they will be invited to take benefit of Pakistan’s friendly investment climate. China exports 28 billion dollars’ worth of goods to Pakistan and currently it is in favor of Chinese. We also need to reduce this gap with more exports of Pakistan to China. Prime Minister will urge the Chinese side to shift technology to Pakistan so that a vibrant business and industrial environment is created in the country.
Najmuddin Shaikh (Former Foreign Secretary): Pakistan’s relations with China have assumed special importance in recent times. Pakistan and China have deep cooperation in the realms of economy, security and people to people contacts. Pakistan can enjoy good relations with both China and the US, despite their rivalry with each other. We need to cultivate strong relations with China and to invite the Chinese investment in various sectors of Pakistan’s economy. It is important for us to do things to gain trust of the world. For this, we can also make constitutional and legal changes to our system to protect foreign investors, so that there is consistency in policies. There are immense investment opportunities in Pakistan for foreign companies. We need to create harmony for the national interests of the country. China also wants a peaceful Afghanistan as the country is blessed with rich natural resources. Pakistan can also reap multiple benefits from this peaceful environment.
