Time-Tested Pakistan China Friendship: Deeper Than Oceans, Sweeter Than Honey!

On behalf of the people of Punjab, I warmly welcome the Chinese President His Excellency Xi Jinping on his historic visit to Pakistan. This is President Xi's first visit to Pakistan, having been elected as Chinese President in 2013, and comes at an extraordinary moment in history. In the face of emerging geostrategic threats as well as opportunities shaped by the forces of globalisation and imperatives of 21st century, China and Pakistan are jointly committing themselves to create a better and stronger future for regional security, development and growth.
"Deeper than the deepest sea, higher than Himalayas, sweeter than honey and stronger than the strongest steel" : This phrase is generally used to highlight the extent of closeness and intimacy of Pak-China relations. Both countries have enjoyed a long-term and consistent goodwill towards each other. Friendship with China has long been the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. Both countries enjoy close co-operation and hold identical views on important world issues. Our "all weather" relationship is based upon shared principles and interests and forms the foundation of co-operation in diverse fields. At the official as well as popular levels, there is strong resonance of the long and rich history of close and cordial ties.
In recent years, Pakistan-China ties have entered into a major phase of history. Both brotherly countries are pursuing the great China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project, a project, once completed, will unleash enormous economic opportunities for regional growth and integration. The Pak-China Economic Corridor in physical term is a 2000 kilometers highway, stretching from Kashgar to Gwadar, through Khunjrab, but, in fact, this will integrate the economies of the two countries. The project is designed to establish a number of economic zones and physical links connecting both the countries. It will begin a new chapter of economic co-operation in term of regionalism in South Asia and will subsequently pave the way for progress and prosperity in the region by building pipelines and ports with roads/rail infrastructure, generating massive trade and economic activity and opening up of new avenues for the people of the two countries. Indeed, this new phase of long-term economic collaboration is a step towards a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and development in the region. China's special investment package with a special focus on energy project will help Pakistan overcome crippling energy shortages, which have stymied growth in our country. On our end, we stand committed to providing all necessary facilitation to the Chinese investors. Many Chinese companies are already working in Pakistan and we hope more top-notch companies will also come, giving greater confidence to the investors.
Pakistan has recently become founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), launched by China. The Bank, a revolutionary vision, will provide much-needed capital to Asian countries to build their infrastructure and thus mitigate poverty in Asia and create condition of peace, harmony, and growth. China, last year also, played a major role in support-ing Pakistan to become full member of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO). With Pakistan's inclusion in the club, the SCO will become more relevant in addressing some of the outstanding issues confronted by the member countries.
On a personal note, I have travelled to China, many times over the past few decades and have personally witnessed the unfolding of China's success story. Here, I cannot help but salute the great leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as well, a party that has not only brought nearly seven hundred million people out of poverty in four decades in China, but has also catapulted China to become the globe's second largest economy. In 1970's, this thought would have been a figment of imagination! Under the CCP leadership, China, having success-fully fought imperialist forces and other forces of chaos and anarchy, steered China towards victory, national unity and internal cohesion.
Let me also take this opportunity to recognise the incredibly powerful, sagacious and thoughtful leadership of His Excellency President Xi Jinping. Under his dynamic leadership, China has entered into next phase of wide-ranging reforms that will put China on the road to stability, prosperity and national consolidation and will pave the way for China to assume its eminent role in human history.
To be honest, indeed, all of us need to learn from China's success story. The rapid development of China has become a role model for the world including Pakistan.
Taking a leaf from the Chinese development model, we, in the province of Punjab, are undertaking massive infrastructural and development projects. These projects range from construction and rebuilding of dams, roads, power plants and agriculture infrastructure including rural roads, canals and dams.
In Punjab, we are also revamping our social sectors, adding over four million out-of-school children to our classrooms every year, while building new schools, adding facilities to existing ones and providing technical education to the students. Similarly, interest-free loans to over half a million entrepreneurs over the past five years have helped lift millions out of poverty to lead an honourable life. There is also a special focus on women entrepreneurs and religious minorities. The Government of Punjab has created the largest ever endowment fund in the education sector which has provided scholarships to over 80,000 poor but talented students, allowing them to achieve their life-long aspirations.
In conclusion, I would again like to welcome His Excellency President of China Xi Jinping to his second home - Pakistan, as every Pakistani considers China as his second home. I strongly believe that time tested Pakistan and China friendship would continue to flourish and deepen with passage of time.
Long live Pakistan-China friendship!