Nineteen agreements: China wants timely and transparent execution
Official says Beijing has signed these deals with firm commitment
ISLAMABAD:
China wants to ensure early and transparent execution of all 19 agreements it made with Pakistan during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to the People’s Republic, a senior Chinese official in Pakistan said on Friday.
“I ask the media persons to follow all these projects inked as per standard of international code of business to check our claim regarding their early and transparent execution,” he said, addressing a press briefing.
He said of these 19 projects, 13 are related to energy sector. “Some of the energy sector related projects will be completed by 2018,” he said.
The official termed Pak-China Economic Corridor, Gwadar Port and the recently launched Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank as the most significant engagements between the two countries.
“I could not tell the exact value of these projects but for us execution of the same is a challenge as we have signed these documents with firm commitment,” he said.
To a question, the official said they are focusing on execution of these vital projects that will further enhance the friendship between the two countries.
He said China had given Pakistan the status of “Iron Brother” in view of their lasting friendship, mutual cooperation and consensus on almost all issues.
“We will not let our friend to suffer in testing times,” the official said, adding that China’s projects are for all Pakistanis and for all four provinces including Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
He said Pakistan has become the second largest trade partner of China. “With an annual growth of 10%, the balance of trade between the two countries has reached $14 billion,” he added.
He said most of the Chinese companies have already been working in the Pakistani markets since long and they are credible. “However, we will make sure no fake company takes benefit of the situation,” he said.
The official made it clear that China signed all the projects without any political precondition. Citing a series of visits of leadership of both the countries, the official said that it was the greater engagement that also showed strategic thinking behind mutual relations of both countries.
The official, however, confirmed that during the PM’s recent visit, the issue of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) was also discussed at length. “The ETIM is an international terrorist group and the ideology of the group to use force even against innocent people has become a serious security challenge for China,” he said.
He said China appreciated Pakistani leadership’s response to Beijing’s concerns. “We appreciate military operation in Fata against militants and we acknowledge sacrifices rendered by Pakistan against menace of terrorism,” he added.
He said Pakistan and China also discussed regional issues and that China supported Pakistan’s peace efforts in Afghanistan. “We are strong friends, iron brothers, and we will keep discussing issues of mutual benefit and mutual cooperation,” the official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2014.
China wants to ensure early and transparent execution of all 19 agreements it made with Pakistan during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to the People’s Republic, a senior Chinese official in Pakistan said on Friday.
“I ask the media persons to follow all these projects inked as per standard of international code of business to check our claim regarding their early and transparent execution,” he said, addressing a press briefing.
He said of these 19 projects, 13 are related to energy sector. “Some of the energy sector related projects will be completed by 2018,” he said.
The official termed Pak-China Economic Corridor, Gwadar Port and the recently launched Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank as the most significant engagements between the two countries.
“I could not tell the exact value of these projects but for us execution of the same is a challenge as we have signed these documents with firm commitment,” he said.
To a question, the official said they are focusing on execution of these vital projects that will further enhance the friendship between the two countries.
He said China had given Pakistan the status of “Iron Brother” in view of their lasting friendship, mutual cooperation and consensus on almost all issues.
“We will not let our friend to suffer in testing times,” the official said, adding that China’s projects are for all Pakistanis and for all four provinces including Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
He said Pakistan has become the second largest trade partner of China. “With an annual growth of 10%, the balance of trade between the two countries has reached $14 billion,” he added.
He said most of the Chinese companies have already been working in the Pakistani markets since long and they are credible. “However, we will make sure no fake company takes benefit of the situation,” he said.
The official made it clear that China signed all the projects without any political precondition. Citing a series of visits of leadership of both the countries, the official said that it was the greater engagement that also showed strategic thinking behind mutual relations of both countries.
The official, however, confirmed that during the PM’s recent visit, the issue of East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) was also discussed at length. “The ETIM is an international terrorist group and the ideology of the group to use force even against innocent people has become a serious security challenge for China,” he said.
He said China appreciated Pakistani leadership’s response to Beijing’s concerns. “We appreciate military operation in Fata against militants and we acknowledge sacrifices rendered by Pakistan against menace of terrorism,” he added.
He said Pakistan and China also discussed regional issues and that China supported Pakistan’s peace efforts in Afghanistan. “We are strong friends, iron brothers, and we will keep discussing issues of mutual benefit and mutual cooperation,” the official said.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2014.