Islamabad, Oct 30: China at 75 Conference Dar Hails China’s ‘Magnificent Gift’ of CPEC, Ambassador Jiang Condemns Terrorism as ‘Unacceptable
A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership,” celebrating 75 years of the founding of People’s Republic of China, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was the Chief Guest. Distinguished participants included China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong; renowned economist and former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr Ishrat Hussain, and Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs.
The conference was uniquely marked by international representation from South Asia, featuring Mahbub Alam, Leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party; Ahmed Thariq, Member of Parliament from the Maldives; and Achyut Prasad Mainali, Member of the Federal Parliament of Nepal.
In his introductory remarks, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, highlighted some unique aspects of China, emphasizing the nation’s peaceful rise without invasion, aggression, occupation or colonisation—reflecting the essence of China’s 5000-year-old civilization.
He described Pakistan-China relations as unique as these are neither transactional nor tactical but rooted in deep strategic cooperation. Reflecting on China’s recent history, Senator Mushahid Hussain summed up China’s 75 years in what he termed were ‘3 R’s’: Revolution under Chairman Mao, Reform under Deng Xiaoping and now peaceful Rise under President Xi Jinping.
Analysing reasons for China’s rise, he listed quality of leadership, continuity in policy, unique ability to make course corrections and humility in learning from others plus peaceful foreign policy.
Referring to his interaction at an American think tank in Washington, DC, where Senator Mushahid Hussain was asked: ‘which side are you on, US or China’, to which he retorted: ‘Pakistan is on the right side of history, and the course of contemporary history is determined by the Asian Century, where China is our reliable strategic partner’.
He also appreciated Ishaq Dar’s role in raising voice for Dr Afia Siddiqui at highest levels of the Biden Administration and inviting Palestinian students from Gaza to study in Pakistan.
Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan expressed heartfelt gratitude to Senator Ishaq Dar for his attendance, despite his 32-hour journey from Samoa, underscoring the significance attached to the event’.
Ambassador Jiang celebrated the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), now joined by over 150 countries, as a testament to China’s commitment to shared prosperity.
He further emphasized the pivotal influence of President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, which has guided China’s progress and resilience in this new era
. Expressing appreciation for hosting China’s Prime Minister at the recent SCO summit, Ambassador Jiang advocated for deeper, more comprehensive cooperation among Global South nations to foster equitable development and shared progress.
In his Keynote Speech, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan highlighted China’s unprecedented pace of transformation, stating that its rapid development is unmatched in modern history.
He commended China’s proactive approach to climate change, transforming Beijing from a polluted city to one with clear skies within less than a decade.
Dr. Ishrat Husain, Economist/Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan highlighted China’s extraordinary journey, achieving unprecedented progress through strategic shifts from a rural to an urban economy and transitioning from a command-driven to a market-oriented system.
He emphasized how China’s success challenges the Western democratic model, showcasing that political centralization within the Communist Party can coexist with economic decentralization, where over 70% of public expenditures are managed by local governments.
Despite its 1.4 billion population, China integrated itself into the global economy, becoming the largest export destination and a key trading partner for over 120 countries.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs of Pakistan affirmed the enduring bond between Pakistan and China, describing the two nations as “iron friends” bound by an all-weather friendship and emphasised role of Gwadar Port as centrepiece of CPEC.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to South-South cooperation, underscoring its importance for capacity building among developing nations in pursuit of shared objectives.
Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of Asian Institute of Ecocivilization Research and Development highlighted China’s transformative approach to poverty alleviation, attributing its success to practical, common-sense solutions.
Ahmed Thariq, Member of Parliament, Maldives highlighted China’s pivotal role in shaping global politics and steering the world towards a multipolar order, with President Xi Jinping at the forefront of this shift. This evolving world order, he noted, ensures that smaller nations are not sidelined but rather included in the global development narrative.
The conference attracted a diverse audience of over 250 attendees, representing a wide spectrum of society, including students and scholars plus prominent figures from academia, think tanks, and the media, as well as different government departments. Industry leaders and professionals engaged in lively discussions on various facets of China’s changing role in a transformative world.
