‘Terrorists, not militants, attacked China consulate’

Urdu edition of 'Aap aur Hum', a book on Sino-Pak ties, launched

ISLAMABAD: China's deputy head of mission in Pakistan Zhao Lijian has said the last week attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi was carried out by terrorists and not militants.

“Terrorists have tried to create differences between Pakistan and China but the friendship between the two countries is getting stronger and stronger,” Zhao Lijian said on Thursday while addressing a book launch ceremony in the federal capital.

The book whose Urdu translation titled Aap Aur Hum is published in collaboration with the Express Media Group is written by two authors including former ambassador of China Lu Shulin.

The deputy head of mission said Pakistan-China friendship is not only politics and defence specific but also encompasses economic and social ties.

“The Chinese people have donated generously to help the [two] police officials who got martyred in the attack. The governments of Pakistan and China will also help the families of the martyred.

“The terrorists tried to create differences between Pakistan and China but our friendship is getting stronger and stronger and is expanding to economic and social areas as well,” he added.

He said the book is a collection of the experiences of Chinese diplomats about Pakistan. “Lu Shulin has worked hard to write this book. First he wrote the book in Chinese and then it was translated into Urdu. He is 80 but he is working hard,” he added.

Addressing the ceremony, the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed said the attack on the Chinese Consulate was an attack on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said the enemy is uncomfortable with the growing Pakistan-China relations. “We are proud of our friendship with China. The Pakistan-China friendship is beyond the limits of time. It is everlasting.”

He said India should also become part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative as CPEC is the future. “CPEC will unite people. All political parties in Pakistan support CPEC as it will integrate the region and ensure its better future.”

Sayed also thanked the Express Media Group for publishing the Urdu version of the book and said the book will be very important for the people of the two countries.

The co-author Lu Shulin said that he was happy that his book was being published in Urdu. “It looks very beautiful in Urdu. It will be an important milestone in the friendship of the two countries. The book is published with the efforts of people of various fields of the two countries.”

He said the English version of the book was launched three years back and then president Mamnoon Hussain had suggested to publish it in Urdu as well. He said Pakistan Embassy had also helped him in the publication of this book.

“This book is for the youth of China and Pakistan. Chinese call Pakistanis ‘Pathis’ which means very close friend. The friendship of Pakistan and China is as strong as iron,” he added.