Pakistan and China seek expanded ties
March 2, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
EDITOR'S note:
China has a long and amicable relationship with Pakistan.
How can the momentum of the relationship be maintained and what are some of the new directions of this "all-weather" friendship?
How will Pakistan showcase its culture and economic potential during the upcoming Shanghai World Expo?
Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke to Shanghai Daily reporter Ni Tao on these issues in Shanghai on February 25, one day after he visited the Shanghai World Expo site.
Q: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has visited China four times within one year. What's the dynamics behind this new momentum for bilateral ties?
A: China is a huge country and China has so much to offer. And there is so much to see in China.
Previously, it was felt that one came to the political capital, which is Beijing, and went back.
But since now we are interested in improving our economic interaction, we have to visit places like Shanghai and other fast-developing areas in China. So obviously the president had that in mind when he decided to move into the provincial capitals, because that's where all the economic activity is taking place.
We are also trying to promote bilateral trade and Chinese investment into Pakistan. We are trying to project China as the base and Pakistan as the economic hub for China to reach Afghanistan and beyond in central Asia.
Q: From Pakistan's perspective, what are the preferred sectors for Chinese investment?
A: Some of the most obvious include renewable energy like hydro and solar energy, IT, agriculture, agro-based industries, and mining.
There are many, many areas of economic interest in Pakistan. Pakistan is reasonably a big market. The population of Pakistan is 170 million people.
Compared to many other goods, Chinese goods today are relatively cheaper and they work very well. A few years ago, you couldn't see Chinese televisions or Chinese air-conditioners in the Pakistani market. But now all these goods are available at competitive rates.
Q: What are the main benefits of Chinese firms investing in your country?
A: There are basically two or three advantages.
One, China is a close and trusted friend. So the comfort level is there. The government is comfortable with Chinese. Second, because of the closeness and geographical proximity that we have, it's easy to communicate. We have good air links and land links.
The Pakistani government has taken extraordinary measures to protect Chinese nationals working there.
Because of the situation in our region, in Waziristan, there are many Western investors who are feeling shy or hesitant to visit or to come to Pakistan.
In this environment, the Chinese have shown leadership and confidence in Pakistan. And they've come forward and they are investing. Right now there are 120 Chinese enterprises where 11,000 Chinese workers are working in Pakistan.
Q: Some Western media are abuzz with talk of a "fraying" China-Pakistan relationship, alleging that "Pakistan needs China more than China needs Pakistan." Is this true?
A: Friends always need each other. At times Pakistan has come to China's aid, and a lot of times China has come to Pakistan's aid. We are friends and we always stood by each other. We will continue to do so.
Q: How can the two countries improve cultural exchanges in addition to their political and economic ties?
A: Despite a lot of good will that we enjoy, many Chinese do not know Pakistan. I have discussed in my meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi how to improve our people-to-people contact.
In that regard there is a very good proposal for a 100-member delegation of youth to be exchanged on a regular basis between China and Pakistan.
We had a 100-member delegation last year. We are expecting another youth delegation to visit China in May this year. We are expecting one from China. We would love to receive one from China.
Then I think we would have to be more liberal in granting visas to Chinese citizens who want to visit Pakistan and our citizens who want to visit China. We have to showcase Pakistan more.
Many Chinese do not know what are the options and areas of interest for the Chinese in Pakistan. For example, the rich Mughal civilization, which we have, is something of great interest to many Chinese. And they would love to visit those places.
But not enough has been done in the past to promote that. So we have to concentrate on areas which are of interest to both sides and that will improve cultural and political contact.
We also need to have more exchange of parliamentarians, and we discussed that as well.
Q: What is your vision for Pakistan's participation in the Shanghai World Expo? How will the Expo highlight Pakistan's economic potential?
A: Being next to the Chinese Pavilion, we'll have a lot of visitor flow into the Pakistani Pavilion.
It'll be a great opportunity to make people aware of Pakistan, its economic potential, cultural diversity and richness. We will have all the projects and areas of interest for Chinese investors at display.
Another attraction Pakistan has for Chinese to visit is it's relatively cheaper. So you can, with a reasonable budget, go to a foreign country, which is warm towards you, which is hospitable towards you, where people love you, where people like you.
And you don't have to be very rich to travel to Pakistan. And I would say for people with low income and middle income, especially when they have their festival holidays, like Spring Festival and the New Year holiday, Pakistan is an easily accessible place.
The flight from Beijing to Islamabad is six hours. The trip from Shanghai to Pakistan by air takes less time than many done within China. I would say Pakistan is a good destination.
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