APD | The 70th Anniversary: Recent High-Level Visits strengthened China-Pakistan's unique Friendship

APD NEWS

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Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: [email protected]).

Pakistan and China enjoy close and friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in May 1951. Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognized the People's Republic of China. Over the years, the relationship has blossomed into an "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership." Pakistan considers China one of its closest friends and partners, and China considers Pakistan as its "Iron Brother."

The bilateral relationship between the two neighboring countries is characterized by feelings of mutual trust, respect, and goodwill towards each other. There is a regular exchange of visits at the highest level between the two countries. The strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China has grown over the past several decades.

Economically, China is Pakistan's largest trading partner and a significant investor, especially in the infrastructure and energy sector. During 2018, bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$ 18 billion. With the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) official launch, the bilateral relationship has been elevated to a higher level. CPEC is a flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping's "One Road and One Belt" initiative. It aims at enhancing connectivity and improving infrastructure between Pakistan and China. Several projects are being implemented under CPEC for the enhancement of infrastructure and generation of energy. People-to-people contacts are a vital aspect of the bilateral relationship. The year 2015 was celebrated as the Year of Friendly Exchanges between Pakistan and China. Several high-profile events were organized, including seminars, exchanges of visits, and cultural events to highlight people-to-people interactions. High-Level visits are the hallmark of China-Pakistan bilateral relations.

High-Level Visits:

President's Visit to China (16-17 March 2020):

At the invitation of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, visited China from 16-17 March 2020. The President was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, and senior officials. During the visit, the President met with President Xi Jinping. Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman National People's Congress, Li Zhanshu, also met President Dr. Arif Alvi.

His maiden visit to Beijing was a singular expression of Pakistan's solidarity with its "iron brother." The visit was undertaken at a time while China was engaged in a massive national struggle to contain the Covid-19. Leaders of the two countries took the opportunity to exchange views on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. Both leaders witnessed the signing of various Agreements/MoUs during the visit. At the conclusion of the visit, a Joint statement was also issued.

Prime Minister's Visit to China (7-9 October 2019):

Prime Minister Imran Khan visited China from 7-9 October 2019 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. During the visit, the Prime Minister met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and Chairman NPC Li Zhanshu. The Prime Minister was a Chief Guest at the Beijing International Horticulture Expo-2019 and Premier Li Keqiang. In addition, the Prime Minister also met with CEOs/Heads of leading Chinese enterprises. Both sides signed a number of MoUs/Agreements. It was Prime Minister Imran Khan's third visit to China since assuming office in August 2018.

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Chinese Vice President's Visit to Pakistan (26-28 May 2019):

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan visited Pakistan from 26-28 May 2019. He called on the President and held bilateral talks with the Prime Minister. During the visit, the Nishan-e-Pakistan was conferred upon the Vice President in a special investiture ceremony. Moreover, several MoUs and projects were signed and inaugurated. The Vice President also visited Lahore, where he met with Chief Minister Punjab and Governor Punjab. The Vice President also toured Pakistan's cultural sites, including Taxila Museum, Lahore Fort, and Badshahi Mosque.

Prime Minister's Visit to China (25-28 April 2019):

The Prime Minister visited China from 25-28 April 2019 to participate in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. He delivered a speech at the Opening Ceremony of BRF on 26 April and participated in the Leaders Roundtable on 27 April. During the visit, the Prime Minister held meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. The entire range of bilateral relationships, including implementation of Phase-II of CPEC, was discussed. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Both sides also discussed important regional and international issues, including peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and peace and stability in South Asia, and agreed to deepen cooperation at the multilateral fora. The Prime Minister attended a Pakistan Business and Investment Forum attended by leading businessmen of Pakistan and China. 14 B2B agreements were also signed. He also participated in the opening ceremony of the Beijing International Horticulture Exhibition. During the visit, seven new MoUs were signed on a range of bilateral issues, including the Second Phase of Pakistan-China FTA, Completion of Preliminary Design of ML-1, Rashakai SEZ Joint Venture, Socio-Economic Cooperation, Economic and Technical Cooperation and Cooperation in Marine Sciences.

Prime Minister's Visit to China (2-5 November 2018):

Prime Minister Imran Khan had paid his first official visit to China on 2-5 November 2018. In Beijing, he had met with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), Li Zhanshu, and Vice President Wang Qishan. He had also met with the Minister of International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Song Tao, Chairman of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and had interactions with leading corporate leaders of China. In Shanghai, the prime minister attended the opening ceremony of the 1st China International Import Expo (CIIE).

The two sides reached several essential understandings, and long-term consensus reiterated strong commitment to bilateral relations, and the leaders developed good rapport for future cooperation. During the visit, two sides had signed fifteen (15) agreements/MoUs on a range of bilateral issues, including transfer of sentenced persons, poverty reduction, agriculture, socio-economic development, and cooperation in combating illicit traffic in drugs.

President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan ( 20 - 21 April 2015):

It was the first state visit of Xi Jinping to Pakistan. Xi is the second Chinese leader to visit Pakistan in the 2010s after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits Pakistan between 22 and 23 May 2013. It was also Xi's first overseas trip of 2015. The trip led to the signing of accords for $46 billion of investment in Pakistan by China to construct roads, rails, and power plants to be built on a commercial basis by Chinese companies over 15 years. Most of the 51 projects were part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.

International media tremendously covered the trip. In this state visit, Pakistan conferred its highest civilian award Nishan-e-Pakistan on Xi Jinping for his "outstanding contribution in promoting the relationship between the two countries."This was the fourth time that Pakistan awarded the Chinese Premier or President this award, earlier Li Peng (1999), Hu Jintao (2006), Li Keqiang (2013) were awarded.

Premier Li Ke Qiang Vist to Pakistan (22-23 May 2013)

Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China paid an official visit to Pakistan from 22-23 May 2013. High Level visits are the hallmark of Pak-China bilateral relations. It was the first visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Pakistan after becoming the Premier of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese Premier was also conferred upon the highest award of Nishan-e-Pakistan.

Economic cooperation between Pakistan and China has expanded significantly in recent years. The bilateral trade between Pakistan and China in 2012 crossed the figure of US$ 12 billion for the first time. Many important Agreements and MoUs in the fields of economy, Science and Technology, Space & Upper Atmosphere communication and energy were signed during the visit of the Chinese Premier.All these and other agreements were aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relations and improving the wellbeing of the two people. Premier Li Keqiang’s visit had marked yet another important step forward in reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries and open up new avenues for bilateral cooperation, in fact, paved the ways for CPEC.

Other Important Visits:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid an official visit to Zhengzhou from 14-15 December 2015 to participate in the SCO Summit. During the visit, he met with Premier Li Keqiang. President Mamnoon Hussain visited Wuzhen from 16-18 December 2015 to participate in the 2nd World Internet Conference. During the visit, he met with President Xi Jinping on 16 December.

On the invitation of Chinese leadership, President Mamnoon Hussain paid an official visit to China from 1-4 September 2015 to participate in the commemoration ceremony of the 70th Anniversary of China's victory in World War II. During the visit, delegation-level talks were held with President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

On the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif paid an official visit to Beijing from 7-8 November 2014 to participate in the "Dialogue on Strengthening Connectivity Partnership" during the 22nd APEC Summit. Prime Minister Sharif endorsed President Xi's vision on regional connectivity and infrastructure development, stressing that Asia would need to strengthen both to excel in the international arena.

President Mamnoon Hussain visited Shanghai from 19-22 May 2014 to attend the 4th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Pakistan's participation in the CICA Summit at the highest political level sealed its endorsement of the vision of Asian collective security based on cooperation and dialogue.

President Mamnoon Hussain paid an official visit to China from 18-21 February 2014. The second Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting on Economic Corridor Project (ECP) was held on the sidelines of the President's visit.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif paid an official visit to China from 3-8 July 2013. This was Prime Minister's first overseas visit after assuming office in June 2013. During the visit, the two sides concluded the MoU on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Other High-Level Interactions:

From the Pakistan side, the other recent high-level exchanges include the meeting of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi with State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, in August 2019 and on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in May 2019. Earlier, the Foreign Minister had met with Wang Yi when he visited Beijing in March 2019 for the first session of Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue and later when he was in Beijing for the 2nd Belt and Road Forum in April 2019. The Foreign Minister also participated in Political Parties' Dialogue between PTI and CPC and Political Parties Forum on CPEC. He also met Vice President Wang Qishan and Minister for IDCPC, Mr. Song Tao. Foreign Minister had earlier visited Beijing on 25 December 2018.

Former Foreign Secretary visited China on 8-11 April 2019 to formally launch the JWG on International Cooperation. The Foreign Secretary also met with Vice Minister Le Yucheng and Mr. Yang Jiechi, Director Foreign Affairs Commission of CPC. Bilateral ties between the two countries; Prime Minister's visit to China for 2nd Belt and Road Forum (25-28 April 2019); current regional situation; and cooperation at multilateral fora were discussed during the visit.

The Deputy Chairman Senate, Saleem Mandviwalla, visited China from 17-19 April 2019 and held meetings with Shanghai Media Group, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee, Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce, East China Central Factory of Bright Dairy. Previously, Chairman Senate visited China from 16-20 August 2018. Former President Mamnoon Hussain had visited China to attend the SCO Heads of State Summit in Qingdao in June 2018. Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi participated in the Boao Forum for Asia held on 8-11 April 2018.

From the Chinese side, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Pakistan in September 2019 to attend the Third China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Dialogue in Islamabad. Vice-Chairman CMC Gen. Xu Qiliang visited Pakistan recently.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visited Pakistan on 6 March 2019. He discussed the regional situation with the Foreign Secretary and also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Chief of the Army Staff. Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou had earlier visited Pakistan to attend the first round of reconstituted Political Consultations between Pakistan and China on 10 December 2018.

The other high-level visits from China included those of Mr. Gao Yunlong, Vice-Chairman Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) (13-16 February 2019); visit of Mr. Zhang Chunxian, Vice Chairman of Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC) in November 2018; visit of Mr. Song Tao, Minister for International Department of Communist Party of China (CPC) on 13-16 October; State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit (6-9 September); and visit of General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of Central Military Commission of China in May 2018.

The Interaction by high-level leaders paved the way for further cooperation and collaborations.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)