Minister praises China’s development model

Iqbal highlights four key lessons from China’s growth experience, hopes for greater integration

BEIJING:

Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal, stated that as China finalises its roadmap for the future, the friendship between Pakistan and China will advance, leading to greater integration of both countries into global and regional markets.

During his official visit to China, the minister shared his insights with CGTN on what the world can learn from China’s development experience. He underscored, “I think China’s experience of development gives us four very valuable lessons.”

“There are four prerequisites which any country needs to develop: peace, political stability, continuity of economic policies, and a continuous commitment to reform,” he said.

The minister noted that China has consistently demonstrated all four principles in practice, which is why it has developed so rapidly. He added that China’s remarkable achievement in lifting 800 million people out of poverty in the shortest possible time is a great success story for the world.

Iqbal highlighted that China has shared its development experience with other countries through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. He underscored the unique relationship between Pakistan and China, terming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship project of their friendship and the Belt and Road Initiative.

“As China finalises its roadmap for the future, certainly Pakistan and China’s friendship will also move forward, with greater integration of Pakistan and China in the world markets and the regional markets,” he reiterated.

Earlier on Sunday, Iqbal announced that the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) is ready to be opened. He expressed hope that the airport would become an important hub of air transportation and a gateway to connect different regions in the future.

Terming the airport another milestone and flagship project of the CPEC, the minister expressed optimism that with the training Pakistani staff will receive in China, this airport will become an important hub of air transportation and a gateway to connect different regions in the future.