SU holds Pak-China strategic partnership conference

Speakers discuss the relationship and economic ties between the two countries

HYDERABAD: A two-day conference, titled 'Pak-China Strategic Partnership and its Regional Implications,' hosted by the Sindh University (SU) concluded on Tuesday, in which the speakers discussed the economic and strategic ties between the two countries.

The Chinese and Pakistani academics viewed the deepening economic and strategic ties between the two countries with strong optimism. However, they also acknowledged the challenges and obstacles while most of them termed India as an enemy of regional peace.

"Pakistan and China are trying to establish peace in the region, which is a precondition for development. India should end supporting terrorist activities in Balochistan," said University of Peshawar Area Studies Centre director Dr Sarfaraz Ahmed Khan. He added that for lasting peace and stability, the hostile neighbour will have to opt for a negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue and also refrain from fueling terrorism in Balochistan.

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Gwadar plays an essential part in Pak-China Economic Corridor project, said Dr Rasool Bux Raees, a scholar by profession. He believes that India is sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan to create problems for the two countries. He added that Balochis are patriotic and there are many of them living in Sindh and Punjab.

The former ambassador to China, Rass Masood Hussain, drew a comparison between the country's bilateral relations with China and US and termed the latter devoid of permanent footings. "China and Pakistan have more shared interests and common objectives than any other country, in respect of bilateral ties."

Speaking about the challenges and the economic benefits of the Economic Corridor Project for both the countries, China's Zhejiang University vice-chancellor Dr Lou Shizhou said that the two countries will have to face these challenges with the help of a joint strategy. He also added that since 2005, three Pakistan Study Centres have been established in his country.

Comparing the vast trade difference of Pakistan with that of United States (US) and China, SU vice-chancellor Dr Abida Taherani said, "The current trade volume with China is around $15 billion while with US is $695.8 million." She added that Pak-China have agreed to enhance their trade by $5 billion to reach $20 billion by 2018.

Quaid-e-Azam University Area Studies Centre director Dr Noman Sattari, Chinese scholar Zhu Lingjia, Pak-China Research Institute director Dr Fazlur Rehman and SU Area Studies Centre director Dr Hamdullah Kakepoto, addressed the conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2015.