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The brief is derived from the exclusive talk delivered by His Excellency Sun Weidong, ambassador of China to

Pakistan; concluding remarks made by the chair Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, leader of the house, Senate of Pakistan; and
the welcome note presented earlier by Khalid Rahman, director general, Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad,
while addressing the session 'Pakistan-China Relations: CPEC and Beyond CPEC' held at IPS on August 10, 2017.

two years since Chinese President Xi Jinping's


visit to Pakistan, the two sides have clearly
focused our work on implementing the outcomes
of the visit as the main mandate of bilateral
cooperation. We have comprehensively promoted
the exchanges and cooperation in political
exchanges, trade and investment, culture and
H.E. Sun Weidong education, science and technology, security and
(Ambassador of China to Pakistan) defense, as well as on international and regional
affairs. With our joint efforts, most of the
I would also like to extend my gratitude to all of outcomes of this visit have been materialized. The
you for your support and contribution to China- breadth and depth of cooperation between the two
Pakistan relationship. Today, I will share with you countries have been on expansion.
my views on China-Pakistan relationship, CPEC
The third keyword is Iron Brothers.
and our cooperation in other fields respectively.
Netizens in China kindly refer to Pakistan as "Iron
In my opinion, our relationship has three key Brother", which reflects the sincere and close
words. The first one is "all-weather". Since the feelings between the ordinary people, man and
establishment of diplomatic ties 66 years ago, woman, old and young. Pakistan has provided
China-Pakistan friendship has always been valuable support to China at the critical moment
unshakable, time-tested, stood against the of breaking external blockade to the new China
changes in the international situation and the
domestic situation of the two countries. It has
grown from strength to strength, and is expanding By firmly adhering to the five principles of
by leaps and bounds. In April 2015, the Chinese peaceful coexistence, upholding the principle
President Xi Jinping paid a historic state visit to of mutual respect, mutual understanding,
Pakistan. Both leaders agreed to lift our bilateral
mutual trust, and mutual support, the
relations to all-weather strategic cooperative
partnership. This is the unique one in China's development of relationship between China
foreign relations. and Pakistan can be as solid as hard-rock.
The second keyword is "all-round". In the

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and China's restoration of legitimate seat in the billion. The cooperation between the two sides
United Nations. Pakistan also gives us full has been progressing smoothly with visualized
support in a series of issues concerning China's results. It is reflected in the following three
national interests, including issues concerning aspects.
Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, and the South China
Sea. Similarly, China has always firmly supported First, energy projects are moving ahead
Pakistan's independence, sovereignty and rapidly. The shortage of energy is the severe
national dignity, and sincerely supports Pakistan bottleneck constraining Pakistans economic
to achieve economic and social development. development, which also affects the livelihoods
of millions of people. To meet the most urgent
desire of Pakistani people, China puts energy as
About 11000 megawatts of electricity could priority in CPEC cooperation. At present, 11 out
be added to Pakistans grid after the of the 19 CPEC projects are energy projects, 5 of
completion of all CPEC energy projects in the which have already been built. The Sahiwal Coal
Power project is completed in only 22 months,
coming years.
which makes a new record of Pakistan Speed.
About 11000 megawatts of electricity could be
By firmly adhering to the five principles of added to Pakistans grid after the completion of
peaceful coexistence, upholding the principle of all CPEC energy projects in the coming years,
mutual respect, mutual understanding, mutual which will greatly alleviate the energy shortage in
trust, and mutual support, the development of Pakistan and inject strong impetus into its
relationship between China and Pakistan can be economic development. While working on these
as solid as hard-rock and the friendly cooperation projects, China adopts internationally advanced
between two countries have become a model of standards and technologies, which will not affect
state-to-state relations. As time goes on, China- the Pakistani environment.
Pakistan friendship will deepen in the hearts of
Second, road connection is on the way. As an
the two peoples, and our cooperation will bring
old Chinese saying goes, "To become rich, build
more benefit to both countries and the region.
the roads first." Only with the roads ready, the
The CPEC is one of the important flow of people and logistics can be freed, which
achievements of President Xi's visit to Pakistan. could effectively stimulate economic vitality, and
It becomes the flagship project of the Belt and bring the regional connectivity into a reality.
Road Initiative and the main platform for China- After the completion of major projects such as the
Pakistan cooperation. second-phase upgrading of the Karakoram
Highway and the highway from Peshawar to
In 2013, the two countries reached consensus Karachi, the artery in Pakistan will be unlocked to
on building China and Pakistan Economic
Corridor. In 2015, blueprint for CPEC
construction was formulated. During President
Xis visit to Pakistan, the two countries reached Pakistan will be unlocked to improve the
agreement on the 1+4 layout of cooperation, traffic linkage from north to south.
with the corridor construction as the center and
the Gwadar port, energy, infrastructure
improve the traffic linkage from north to south.
construction, industrial cooperation as 4 major
The Gwadar port has been restored to designed
areas. The comprehensive construction of CPEC
capacity. In last November, a ceremony marking
was officially initiated. In 2016, the CPEC is of
the opening of trade activities by the China-
full implementation. A number of projects were
Pakistan Joint Pilot Trade Convoy was
started in various part of Pakistan. In 2017, CPEC
successfully held, and it is the first time for the
begins to enter the stage of Early Harvest. At
containers from China to be shipped overseas
present, 19 projects are under construction or
through the Gwadar port on a large scale. The
completed, with a total investment of $18.5
construction of the eastern and western routes of

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CPEC will provide an impetus to the economic railway will greatly facilitate the movement of
development of Pakistan. people and goods from north to south in Pakistan,
making the economic artery of Pakistan stronger.
Third, social effects begin to emerge. The two governments are also cooperating on
According to an incomplete statistic, Chinese industrial parks in the hope of promoting the
enterprises have employed about 60,000 development of local labor-intensive industries. I
Pakistani workers under and outside the umbrella am convinced that CPEC is like a treasure with
of CPEC. For example, during the completion new potentials continuously been exploited.
ceremony of the Sahiwal Power Station, I visited
the center control room of the power station. In The success of CPEC has embodied the
the spacious and bright room, I saw young endeavor and efforts of our two countries. It
Pakistani technicians were skilled in operating comes with solid foundation.
equipments and monitoring power stations, with
their enthusiasm for work on their faces. The CPEC is a win-win cooperative initiative
Chinese companies not only bring investment and
tax revenue, but also train local people into skilled featuring mutual benefit.
workers in order to get higher-level job,
especially young people. At Gwadar, Chinese Firstly, CPEC is a win-win cooperative
invests in a large seafood processing base. After initiative featuring mutual benefit. When the
its completion, it will promote the development Chinese side puts forward the "Belt and Road"
of complete industry chain from the seafood Initiative, what we pursue is not the benefit of one
single country, nor is the unilateral assistance
from China, but to jointly mobilize the
China has completed the establishment of enthusiasm of all parties to bring advantages of
China-Pakistan friendship primary school, finance, and technology to local demand. The
first-aid medical center and plans to construct principle of "Belt and Road" initiative is
the vocational technical college and other achieving shared growth through joint discussion
and collaboration, which embodies all the
projects concerning local peoples livelihood in
participants as beneficiaries. Both local people
Gwadar. and the region will benefit from this Initiative.
CPEC will never re-take the road of plundering
aquaculture, fishing to processing, and effectively by colonialists, and the zero-sum thinking in cold
improve added value of products, and create a war era. Instead, CPEC has chosen a new path of
large number of job opportunities for local people. mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
In addition, China has completed the Secondly, CPEC embodies the spirit of
establishment of China-Pakistan friendship sincere assistance between the two countries. In
primary school, first-aid medical center and plans order to meet Pakistani emergency needs,
to construct the vocational technical college and thousands of Chinese workers are away from their
other projects concerning local peoples
livelihood in Gwadar.
Pakistan has been the first one to benefit from
Recently, we are pleased to see that a number the win-win cooperation under Belt and
of new projects have been completed, including
the Sachal Wind Farm, Dawood Wind Farm, the Road Initiative.
Jhimpir UEP Wind Farm and Linyi Trade City in
Gwadar. At the same time, China and Pakistan are homelands and loved ones. They are working
actively exploring the major cooperation projects hard over time for completion of the power plants,
for next phase. The two sides have reached road and port projects with high quality. There is
consensus on the ML1 railway up-gradation no other country in the world wishes to see a more
project which is under discussions on financing developed and prosperous Pakistan than China
and technical solutions. The 1800-kilometer

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does. Our cooperation mainly focuses on deficit. Here, I want to emphasize is that China
introducing advanced technology and does not pursue the trade surplus policy with
management experience, improving Pakistani Pakistan. Instead, China will support Pakistan to
production technology and industrial system and export more products which could meet the
enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistani Chinese markets. China would like to help
products in international market. In 4 years of Pakistan accelerate the industrialization process,
CPEC construction, Pakistan has enjoyed a fast enhance the international competitiveness of
momentum of economic development. People Pakistani products. This afternoon, I will attend a
become more confident about the future of the signing ceremony organized by the Ministry of
country. Pakistan has been the first ones to benefit Commerce of China, with delegations of Chinese
from the win-win cooperation under "Belt and enterprises coming to purchase Pakistans
Road" Initiative. products, which are worth $325 million totally.
China will continuously make an effort in this
Third, CPEC is an open and inclusive respect.
cooperative Initiative. President Xi Jinping points
out that the development of China benefits from In science and technology cooperation, a few
the international community and China is willing weeks ago, the Ministers of Science and
to provide more public goods in return. We Technology of both countries co-chaired the 18th
believe that only openness and cooperation will joint committee meeting on science and
bring us vitality and progress. The Karakoram technology cooperation in Islamabad. The
Highway not only connects China and Pakistan Chinese side will carry out more cooperation with
but may also promote the connectivity between the Pakistani side in the fields of research on new
Pakistan and other regional countries. The CPEC energy, environmental protection, disaster
has been advanced in a comprehensive and reduction, training and exchange of scientists, so
balanced manner with openness and transparency. as to help Pakistan transforming technological
Our cooperation is not against any third party. The achievements into productive forces.
CPEC is beneficial to the prosperity of the region,
and aims at promoting the well-beings of the In cultural exchanges, in 2015 and 2016, we
have organized a series of activities marking the
Year of China-Pakistan Friendship Exchange and
The all-round pragmatic cooperation between the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of
China and Pakistan is not only reflected in diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan.
CPEC but in many other fields as well. There were nearly 200,000 people visited each
others country last year. 14 pairs of friendly
provinces or cities are established. There are
people. We are opposed to any attempt to around 18,000 Pakistani students studying in
undermine CPEC. We are confident that under China. The number of Pakistani students enjoying
our joint efforts, cooperation on CPEC will go Chinese government scholarships ranks first in
steadily and far with a broad prospect. the world, accounting for nearly 10% of the total
The all-round pragmatic cooperation amount of government scholarships provided by
between China and Pakistan is not only reflected the Chinese government.
in CPEC but in many other fields as well. In defense exchanges and cooperation, the
In terms of trade and investment, China has relations between our two-armed forces have
become the largest trade partner of Pakistan and been the pillar of bilateral relations. The two sides
the largest source of investment in the past three have frequently conducted various types of joint
years. In 2016, the total amount of our bilateral activities including maritime search and rescue,
trade recorded at 19.14 billion USD. The stock of anti-terrorism joint training. Bilateral cooperation
investment from China reached 4.13 billion USD, on personnel training, equipment, anti-terrorism
with an obvious upward trend. Some Pakistan have reached a new height. On March 23 this year,
friends may pay attention to Pakistans trade the honor guards of the Chinese PLA military

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made their debut in the Pakistan National Day Pakistan has been playing an increasingly
parade. On July 31st, the Army Chief of Staff of important role in promoting regional peace,
Pakistan, General Qamar Bajwa attended the stability and prosperity. I believe that in the next
Reception marking the 90th anniversary of the 70 years, Pakistan will enjoy a better growth.
founding of the Chinese PLA. These are
reflection of the special relationship between our China-Pakistan relations is a cross-regional,
two armies. cross-party, cross-ethnic consensus for Pakistani
people. China has always attached great
On major international and regional issues, importance to China-Pakistan relations. We
we have always cooperated with each other, appreciate the continuity of policy adopted by the
upheld justice and jointly safeguarded the new Pakistani government. I believe that there
common interests of both sides and the will be no way to shake our confidence in and
developing countries at large. In this June, commitment to developing China-Pakistan
Pakistan successfully joined the Shanghai relations, and the momentum of the development
Cooperation Organization. China is willing to of bilateral relations will not change.
further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in
the framework of the United Nations, the SCO, Two years ago, my colleagues and I moved
etc., and continues to maintain close into our new spacious Chinese Embassy, and we
communication and coordination on the Afghan planted many saplings there. We water and
peace process, so as to jointly promote regional fertilize them, and after two years, these trees
peace, stability and prosperity. grow stronger and even taller than me. China
Pakistan relations and CPEC are just like these
Recently, there are some changes in the trees. If carefully cultivated, they will take root,
political situation of Pakistan. Many friends want sprout and grow stronger. These are what we have
to know about its impact on the development of been doing and what will are going to do. Let us
China-Pakistan relations and CPEC. work hand in hand for a better future.
On August 3rd, I had the privilege of calling I wish China-Pakistan friendship lasts forever.
on the new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
I told His Excellency that China Pakistan all
weather friendship is time tested. Developing
relations with Pakistan is the priority of Chinas
diplomacy. I believe that under his leadership, the
Pakistani government would be committed to
safeguarding national unity and stability, and
promoting economic and social development.
China is willing to work with Pakistan to maintain
good momentum of development in bilateral
relations, jointly promote CPEC construction and
Senator Raja Zafar-ul-Haq
push forward the all-weather strategic partnership
(Leader of the House, Senate of Pakistan)
between China and Pakistan.
I appreciate the efforts of the Institute of Policy
I would like to say that we are full of
Studies, Islamabad in arranging seminars and
confidence in Pakistans development and in the
discussions forums on such important and
future of China-Pakistan relations. Since its
pertinent issues, especially in the context of the
independence 70 years ago, the Pakistani people
all-important Pakistan-China relations. Our two
is very resilient and has always held high spirit
countries share common interests and aspirations,
though experiencing toughness and hardship.
and as such our strategic partnership is a factor for
Over the years, through the continuous efforts of
global peace, stability and progress.
the Pakistani people, the security situation in the
country has been improving with a trend in the Pakistan accords special importance to
acceleration of the economy growth is remarkable. collaboration with China. Especially, in recent

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years, trade and economic relationship has funneling investment into resource strapped
become the center-piece of our bilateral relations. energy and infrastructure sectors, as well as
under-developed areas. This will help accrue
Pakistan is greatly indebted to China for its twin-pronged benefits, such as sustained
economic growth and improved socio-economic
cooperation and assistance that fueled uplift for all based on equity and equality.
progress and growth in many important areas
I take this opportunity to emphasize that Pak-
including energy, infrastructure,
China cooperation is vital to the protection and
manufacturing, electronics, computer promotion of international peace and security in a
hardware and software, transport and multi-polar system confronted with serious
construction equipment, and mining. challenges such as terrorism, regional conflicts,
energy crisis, and environmental degradation.
Pakistan is greatly indebted to China for its So, lets join hands, combine synergies and
cooperation and assistance that fueled progress forge wide-ranging, stronger and sustainable
and growth in many important areas including partnerships by harnessing the full energy of our
energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, masses and turn shared ideals of peace,
electronics, computer hardware and software, development and prosperity into a reality.
transport and construction equipment, and
mining. Lets join hands, combine synergies and forge
Pakistan government is keen to share with wide-ranging, stronger and sustainable
our Chinese friends the advantages accruing from partnerships by harnessing the full energy of
our strategic position at the crossroad of Central
our masses and turn shared ideals of peace,
Asia, South Asia, West Asia and China.
i
development and prosperity into a reality.
We envision a peaceful, prosperous and
integrated Asia, just like China as per its One
Belt, One Road vision. The China- Pakistan I conclude on sentiments of affection and
Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the torch bearer of goodwill to the people of China, praying for their
this shared vision and common objectives. continued progress and prosperity.

Allow me to say that CPEC is not just a trade Long Live Pak-China Friendship!
route between two countries. Its significance goes
far and beyond. More than anything, it is a pivot
of regional connectivity, and mutual and shared
development.
Aiming economic regionalization in the
globalized world, CPEC envisages. Combining
the growth engines of South Asia, China and
Central Asia into a massive powerhouse driving
socio-economic uplift of three billion people of
the region.
Khalid Rahman
As for Pakistan, the fruits of CPEC have (Executive President, IPS)
already started bearing some of the cherished
dividends with reduced electricity shortages and Coming to the subject, let us begin by recognizing
improved connectivity between underdeveloped that the exemplary nature and contours of
and developed areas. bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China
are well-known and well-discussed in both the
It has also opened up the possibility of countries as well as at regional and global level.

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It is a fact, and needs little mention that the joint research, conferences, scholars exchange
bond has withstood the ups and downs of time for and other academic activities.
more than six and half decades and continues to
grow from strength to strength. The relationship, With a view to strengthening Sino-Pak
beyond any doubt, serves as a model for ties relationship IPS approach in these interactions
between any two states in the contemporary has been a focus on Promoting a two-way better
world. understanding and developing further the deep-
rooted mutual trust which is the key to Sino-
Pakistani ties.
While CPEC has rightly gained a symbolic
Continuing our tradition, we have titled
status in China-Pakistan ties, it represents
todays session as Pakistan-China Relations:
only one aspect of our relations. Bilateral ties, CPEC and Beyond. The idea is to highlight that
in reality, go well beyond the CPEC as they while CPEC has rightly gained a symbolic status
encompass many other important dimensions in China-Pakistan ties, it represents only one
aspect of our relations. Bilateral ties, in reality, go
well beyond the CPEC as they encompass many
While political and strategic aspects have other important dimensions, including political
been the hallmark of bilateral exchanges since and strategic ones, which are set to have a greater
very beginning of the diplomatic relations in 1951 impact on contemporary regional and global
continuing and strengthening throughout the dynamics. Thus, though CPEC has taken a center
following decades of 60s thru 90s we see a stage in the discourse at almost all the levels,
transformation towards closer and dynamic China-Pakistan relations should be viewed in a
economic ties as well as robust people-to-people much broader perspective.
exchanges in the post 2000 scenario, the first 17
years of the 21st century. Free-Trade Area (FTA)
Agreement, Currency Swap Agreement, Some of the developments which otherwise
framework agreements for economic and energy should be seen as a natural corollary of an
cooperation, and several initiatives for exchanges
of academia, professionals, youth and students, increased economic engagement, are being
media-persons and artists are among the key used as excuses.
developments on this front, during this period.
The advent of China-Pakistan Economic Bringing focus to this dimension leads us to
Corridor (CPEC) in 2013, and the formal the key element of Sino-Pak relationship which is
inauguration of CPEC projects during the visit of the mutual trust and respect that the two nations
President Xi in April 2015, has steered the ties have enjoyed throughout the period of past 65
between two countries into a new era of vitality. years, and which makes the very foundation for
It goes without saying that both the countries an initiative like CPEC. It would not be wrong to
stand to gain a lot from this mega initiative say that it is this mutual trust that has encouraged
having wide-raging economic, socio-economic as the two nations to embark upon an initiative of the
well as political and strategic dividends scale of CPEC the only bilateral corridor among
especially in the long run. the six (or several) corridors being pursued under
Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) strategy.
Ladies and gentlemen, most of you are aware
of the Institute of Policy Studies and its activities, It is important to note in this context that
and, that a vibrant China program is an integral adversaries both from within and outside are
part of various themes being pursued at IPS under targeting this spirit of mutual trust and
its three major areas of research: Pakistan Affairs, understanding between the two people by coming
International Relations and Faith and Society. We up with many negative themes.
are presently engaged with around a dozen Some of the developments which otherwise
Chinese universities and think tanks for holding should be seen as a natural corollary of an

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increased economic engagement, are being used This, though not unexpected in this age of
as excuses. The trade imbalance, terms of perception management, necessitates a
investment, increased flow of Chinese workers to continuous emphasis on the elements which have
work in Pakistan, costs of the projects involved led to the strong bond of relationship between the
and their security, and strategic dynamics of the two countries and a prerequisite to take it to new
infrastructure being built as part of CPEC and heights.
other than CPEC are some of the issues discussed
in this regard. Prime motive of focusing the In this backdrop, it is indeed a rare
discourse on negativity, while discussing these opportunity for all of us to listen to the first-hand
issues, seems targeting the spirit of mutual trust account of the state-of-affairs from Excellency,
and understanding between the two people by Ambassador Sun Weidong, someone who is
creating doubts and raising questions. involved at the highest-level of decision making
related to the cooperation.

Prepared by IPS Task Force | For queries: Mairaj-ul-Hamid, Research Coordinator, IPS (mairaj@ips.net.pk) | www.ips.org.pk

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