A 7-member delegation of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence & Defence Production, led by Senator Nisar A Memon, has arrived at Beijing on a week-long visit to the People's Republic of China. The delegation is visiting China on the invitation of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA).
After arrival in Beijing the delegation held a meeting with Mr Wang Zhen, Vice President of the Institute. Welcoming the delegation Mr Zhen said that blue sky and winds are quite rare in Beijing but with the coming of guests from Pakistan this rarity has occurred which augurs well for our all weather relationship.
He said he had received many delegations from Pakistan but this was the first delegation of Parliamentarians to be hosted and received by the Institute , said a message received here from Beijing.
Senator Nisar A. Memon thanked the Vice President for their warm welcome and hospitality which showed once again that relations between the two countries are friendly, neighbourly and brotherly, which has remained so in the last 56 years of diplomatic relationship.
The Vice President while explaining the objectives and functions of the Institute said, functions of the Institute include inviting and receiving foreign delegations and visiting their countries on their invitation, maintaining links with scholars in other countries and organising bilateral seminars to promote exchange of views between foreign and Chinese scholars.
The Institute also carries out research on regional issues and promotes economic and cultural relations with different countries and the results of the research are published in a quarterly Foreign Affairs Journal in the English language. Mr Zhen informed that the Institute was established by Mr Zhou Enlai in 1949 and he was the first President of this prestigious Institution.
Senator Nisar Memon thanked China for supporting Pakistan's entry as observer in the SCO. He said that with China joining the Saarc as observer the goal of peace in the region would be further realised.
He said that there were numerous agreements between the two countries but the most important in the present scenario was the agreement on fighting terrorism, separatism and extremism.
Pakistan's signing the Free Trade Agreement with China is another landmark achievement between the two countries and will increase trade between two countries. He said that co-operation in all areas, including defence and defence production brings people of two countries closer to each other.
"We look forward to continued co-operation in all areas to bring peace and development in the region. We hope strategic relationship will further grow with executive and legislative contacts".
Senator Nisar A Memon invited President Yang Wen Chang and Vice President Wang Zhen of the Institute to visit Pakistan. The meeting lasted for more than an hour and was followed by lunch. The delegation comprised of Senators Syed Dilawar Abbas, Mr Naeem Hussain Chattha, Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi and Mr Kamran Murtaza and Secretary Committee Mr Iftikhar Ullah Babar who were present on the occasion.