Nuclear non-proliferation: China pours scorn on ‘double standards’

Envoy says his country considers peaceful use of nuclear technology a right of every nation.


Azam Khan March 16, 2011

ISLAMABAD:


China considers peaceful use of nuclear technology a right of every nation and “certainly opposes double standards regarding nuclear non-proliferation,” said the Chinese envoy to Pakistan Liu Jian here on Tuesday.


“While Sino-Pak cooperation in all fields has increased during recent years on official and public levels, China could offer active and effective assistance in developing Pakistan’s energy and transport sectors as well as in building its infrastructure,” Jian said.

Talking at a seminar at the Institute of Policy Studies here on “Chinese experience of reform and development and Pak-China relations,” he shared the experiences of China in its journey to progress and development.

Talking about Pak-China relations, he said both countries had already signed a number of MOUs in almost all areas of mutual interest and it is time they are put into practice.

He said his country wished to enhance its cooperation with Pakistan and had already suggested to the government of Pakistan that leadership of both countries needed to sit together to explore ways in which China could contribute more effectively to energy sector in Pakistan.

While China was in favour of a peaceful solution to Kashmir dispute through dialogue and consultation between India and Pakistan, its visa policy for residents of Indian-held Kashmir is based on principles and shall continue, he added.

The envoy also said that his government was offering 500 scholarships for Pakistani students to study in China, and facilitating the travel of tourists and business community from Pakistan to their country. “People to people contacts are being strengthened,” he remarked.

The seminar, organised as part of the 60th anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, was attended by large number of diplomats, academics, students and representatives of chambers of commerce and industry.

Spelling out the achievements of Chinese nationals in various fields, he said China today is the second largest trading country of the world and a leading contributor to international growth. The country’s planners have ensured that fruits of reform are uniformly shared by people across the country.

As a result, per capita income of the Chinese has increased thirty-two times during past as many years, while life expectancy has increased from 35 years in 1949 to 73 years at present, he said.

While discussing the principles of China’s foreign policy, Jian said China had been able to develop closer trade, cultural and social linkages with almost all countries across the world and was playing its role in moving towards a prosperous future for everyone.

Noting that “some countries were trying to play a bigger role” in global affairs, he underlined that foreign policy of his country is aimed at building a peaceful harmonious international community where all states and peoples enjoy equal status and respect.

When China opted for market economy, it sent its experts to various countries and benefitted from experiences of others, he said, adding that China today welcomes other nations to benefit from its experiences.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2011.

COMMENTS (10)

Khawaja Faraz | 13 years ago | Reply @all why you people getting frustrated? After All as Chinese foreign minister commented " Pakistan is Our Israel"
mukesh | 13 years ago | Reply G Din... be a man and fight your WAR... don't wear a skirt and hide behind China...In 1962 they may have done India in when India was not millitarily prepared... Not NOW...India will shrink their slanty eyes even further...The only reason why they have not fought since 1962 is because they know they are not dealing with India of 1962...At least, India have the guts to fight their war....
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