Xi lauded for ‘people-centric development’

Ambassador Nong Rong says China will not leave Pakistan alone in flood calamity

Speakers have lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping for his people-centric and inclusive development, human security and promoting international cooperation.

They were speaking at an event organised by the Pakistan-China Institute ahead of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) under its flagship 'Friends of Silk Road' initiative.

The panellists discussed the prospects of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, which will be held later in 2022. This congress is held every five years, where China watchers look for clues to the country's future. President Xi Jinping is expected to be re-elected for his third term as Secretary General of CPC and President of China. Moreover, the party congress will set key priorities for the next five years, in particular, as well as China's two-stage development plan for the middle of the twenty-first century.

A special documentary titled 'China's Governance under President Xi Jinping in the New Era (2012-2022)' was also screened, depicting China's achievements under President Xi Jinping.

Pakistan-China Institute Executive Director Mustafa Hyder Sayed introduced the “Friends of Silk Road Initiative” which has become the premier platform to understand China, bridge people-to-people connectivity between Pakistan and China, serving as a platform to gather political leaders, students, media professionals, and think tanks to brainstorm new ideas of thought which both countries can further cement their relationship in various fields.

In his opening remarks, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and Pakistan-China Institute, thanked China for donating 25,000 tents and cash for flood victims.

He said that the core message emanating from President Xi Jinping's leadership is people-centric development and human security. He said that the Global Development Initiative (GDI), introduced by President Xi Jinping on September 21, 2021, promotes inclusive and open collaboration and is a crucial platform for international cooperation and the public good that China offers. Similarly, he said this year, President Xi Jinping announced the Global Security Initiative (GSI), which, as President Xi Jinping, said is meant to 'uphold the principle of indivisible security, build a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture, and oppose the building of national security based on insecurity in other countries.

Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong expressed China's sympathies with Pakistan for the floods and said China wouldn't leave Pakistan in such testing times. Pakistan, he said, has always supported China in such situations. He recalled how Pakistan donated all the available stock of tents to China in the 2008 earthquake.

Commenting on NPC, he said it is the most important political agenda of this year-end. CPEC, he said, has transformed Pakistan's socio-economic landscape by overhauling infrastructure and alleviating the energy crisis. He termed Pakistan-China relations as ‘rock-solid’.

Former senator Farhat Ullah Babar said that the 20th party congress would be a game changer for China and the region since it will decide the future course of policy for China. It is also expected to provide an opportunity for President Xi Jinping to secure a third term as president of China, he said.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said that China is a pillar of peace and stability in the region and a preserver, promotor, and protector of principles of peaceful coexistence in the region. The initiatives launched by President Xi Jinping, whether it is Global Development Initiative or Global Security Initiative, are a testament to the fact that China prioritizes human security and stability over confrontation.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2022.