Pakistan's Premier for major role of China in Asia
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said China as a major power has to play a pivotal role in the emerging international situation in the current century which is for Asia.

He was inaugurating a two-day international conference on “China and the Emerging Asian Century” in Islamabad Tuesday. The conference has been organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad and Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany.

The Prime Minister said China has been an anchor for the Asian miracle and its economy has boomed at a very fast speed during the last two decades. China, he said, is now playing a major role in the international economy.

He said unlike the rise of other powers in the history, China’s rise has been peaceful and its political and economic strength augurs well for Asia and the world at large.

Mr Shaukat Aziz said in regional and global context, Pakistan looks for an important role for China for various reasons which include its unique position in the region, its economic and political strength besides China’s stand for world peace through common development based on equality, mutual benefit and gradual progress. He said Chinese role in promoting peace, security and stability in Asia in particular and in the world in general has been admirable.

Turning to Pak-China relations, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and China enjoy all-weather friendship based on complete trust and confidence and expressed the confidence these ties would be further strengthened by the passage of time.

He said Pak-China relations in diplomatic, political, economic, trade, defence, nuclear power generation and education are exemplary and are strengthening all the way. In fact, Pak-China relations, he said, are holistic which covers all facets. There is no other country with whom we have deep rooted relations other than China.

He said China has merged as a global power which will affect much more than Asia. He said Pakistan intends to see China more powerful to make the world more developed, prosperous and a peaceful place.

Referring to Pakistan’s role in the rising Asia, Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan is situated at the cross road of three regions that are South, Central and West Asia and the Middle East and our strategic significance impels us to promote peace and stability and our rather volatile neighbourhood.

He said Pakistan has followed policy of restraint and has reached out its hand of friendship to all of its neighbours. He said Pakistan believes that progress and prosperity can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and stability and in this spirit it intends to resolve all differences and disputes with its neighbours.

Later answering questions by the participants, Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan attaches great importance to make the SAARC a vibrant and effective body but it is a matter of disappointment that it has become hostage of certain issues largely of India and Pakistan which need to be resolved to activate SAARC.

He said SAARC’s performance is disappointing despite having a great potential to move forward and Pakistan for this purpose has launched dialogue process with India to resolve all issues.

To a question regarding ties between India and China, the Prime Minister described it as good because engagement leads towards development and peace and said there is no reason of concern for Pakistan in this regard.

To another question he said Pakistan clearly is a major player in the Muslim world and China can benefit from Pakistan’s position to promote its relations with the Muslim world.

Answering a question regarding US-India strategic ties, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that these would not lead to tension in the region.

When asked that Pakistan played a significant role in bringing together China and the United States will it be ready to play a role of intermediation to accommodate two major powers in future, he said if China wanted Pakistan’s role we would be happy to play it.

Research scholars from Bangladesh, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, South Korea and the United States are participating in the conference which would discuss Chinese relations particularly with Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and USA besides its role in WTO.●