Pakistan and China inked 50 initiatives, 36 MoUs in one year: Zardari

President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said during the last one year, Pakistan and China have identified more than 50 new initiatives for joint collaboration and signed more than three dozen MoUs. In an interview with Guangming Daily, one of the largely circulated newspapers in China, the President said Pakistan, being a longstanding friend of China is naturally keen to learn from its experience.
President Zardari while appreciating Chinese growth and development said China had made stupendous economic progress and achieved spectacular growth during the last 10-15 years. "There is a lot to learn from the Chinese model of economic development particularly the one adopted in its provinces of Zhejiang and Guangdong," he said.
He said the progress made by China in agriculture particularly in hybrid seed and optimal utilisation of water could be emulated in other countries including Pakistan. Responding to a question about his visits to China, the President said during all his visits, he focused on familiarising himself with the Chinese experience of growth and development.
"I have been impressed by all round development your great country has achieved. One is inspired by the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people and wise stewardship of its leaders. I think there is a great deal Pakistan can learn from the Chinese experience and its development model," he said. "The goodwill must act as a precursor for adding greater commercial and cultural contents to the economic and public diplomacy between the two countries," the President added.
The President said Pak-China friendship spans over half a century and is based on a very high degree of trust and commonality of interests. The foundations of a strong friendship with China were laid by the visionary policies of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and he played a pioneering role in building the edifice of this relationship.
Prime Minister Bhutto's vision as a statesman is best illustrated in his role as the architect of Pakistan's strategic co-operative relations with China, he opined. "As a matter of fact it has matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership, is of great mutual benefit and of special significance for Pakistan's security and economic development."
"The real challenge is how to actualise the great potential of economic co-operation between the two countries. The trajectory of future relationship is clear," he said. He said the two countries will continue to co-operate for promotion of global and regional peace, advancement in the science and technology, improvement in the living standards of our respective people and fight against environmental degradation. "This relationship will grow stronger and stronger with each passing year. We have resolved to take this partnership to greater heights," the President observed.