Pakistan-China friendship highlighted at special FM-98 webinar

 Islamabad:  A special webinar was held here to mark the 70 years of Pakistan-China friendship and diplomatic ties.

The webinar, hosted by FM-98, was participated buy former Defense Minister Lt. General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (retd), experts, senior journalists and personalities from various sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, former Defense Minister and renowned defence analyst Lt. General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (retd) said that during the last 70 years, bilateral relations between Pakistan and China have strengthened with the passage of time and no ambiguity have ever been found between the two countries.

He said that the soldiers of Pakistan Army and the People’s Liberation Army of China worked tirelessly for the construction of Karakoram Highway. Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (retd) said that China is fully supporting Pakistan in the military field and the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets is a prime example of friendship between the two countries, while China is also preparing warships and other military equipment for Pakistan.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Board of Investment Khyber Pakhtunkhaw, Hassan Dawood Butt, while expressing his views, said that the bilateral relations between Pakistan and China were very unique, which are based on win-win cooperation and such element reduces the chances of failure.

He said that regardless of the global situation, bilateral relations between the two countries have been very strong and cordial while both the countries want to strengthen each other.

Hassan Dawood Butt said that construction work under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on long-term and medium-term projects across Pakistan is in full swing, while the two countries have benefited greatly from each other’s experiences under CPEC.

Commenting on China’s space technology, Head of Global Navigation Satellite System Program at the Institute of Space Technology, Dr. Najam Abbas Naqvi, said that in addition to the missions sent by China to Mars and the Moon, the establishment of the Chinese Space Station Fully reflects the progress in this sector.

He said that there is scope for further enhancing in strong bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan in the fields of education and science and technology. Dr. Najam Abbas Naqvi said that Pakistan and China are cooperating in the space technology sector, under which Pakistan will soon reach the moon with the help of China.

In his speech, Former Vice Chancellor of Agricultural University Faisalabad, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, said that bilateral relations between China and Pakistan are based on the principle of peaceful coexistence and have become stronger over the last 70 years. He said that bilateral cooperation in field of agriculture and biotechnology is going on between China and Pakistan.

Dr Muhammad Ashraf said that the share of agriculture in China’s GDP is 7.7 percent, while that of Pakistan is 18 percent. He further said that memoranda of understanding have been signed between Pakistan and China in the field of biotechnology, following which progress has been made in the agricultural sector of Pakistan.

Senior Analyst for International Affairs Dr. Shafqat Munir, said that Pakistan and China have adopted basic principles over the last seventy years, under which the friendship between the two countries started with bilateral relations and the partnership continues.

He said that the friendship between the two countries was based on the principle of confidence building and peaceful coexistence. Dr. Shafqat Munir said that Pakistan and China have different systems in place, however, the two countries have excellent bilateral relations, while China and Pakistan have similar views on global and regional issues.

Speaking in the webinar, the first female General Secretary of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Fauzia Shahid, said that bilateral relations between Pakistan and China are based on trust building while today there are hardly any two countries in the world between which have bilateral relationship in all areas during the last 70 years. She said that the Pakistan and China have similar views on global issues. Referring to the Afghan conflict, Fauzia Shahid said that China has shown great responsibility in this matter and has taken the path of moving forward in a friendly atmosphere.

Famous Squash player and Presidential Award winner Farhan Mehboob said that Chinese nation is hospitable. He said that Pakistan and China have very good relations in terms of Squash and Pakistani players going to China to participate in sports competitions are always welcome.

He said that Pakistan has also provided training to the Chinese National Squash team. Farhan Mehboob said that Pakistan has also given trainings to Chinese Hockey players.

Famous musician and singer Zeek Afridi while participating in the webinar said that there is a need for more bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan in the field of music.

He said that maximum cooperation should be extended between Pakistan and China in the field of music, so that people-to-people contacts would be further strengthened.

Senior journalists Makhdoom Babar, Mian Saif-ur-Rehman, Syed Paras and Ali Riaz Ahmed also highlighted Pakistan-China friendship on the occasion.