Praising China’s remarkable growth and rise on the global stage, President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the development showcased by Beijing was a positive thing and the was no need for the world to fear it.
Speaking during an interview to the Chinese state media on his five-day visit to the country, President Zardari underscored that Beijing’s fast-paced development and transformation over the past few decades had impressed him to a great extent.
“China has never been an occupier. [….] So why should one neighbour which knows that the Chinese are not the kind who want to interfere in other countries be scared. I would never be scared of China,” the president said.
“I would be scared of another country but not China,” he added.
He remarked that individual excellence showcased by the people of China in their respective fields is resulting in the collective benefit of the nation.
The president, in the first week of February, had reached China on an invitation of his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping. During his stay in Bejing, President Zardari — accompanied by a delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Senator Saleem Mandviwala and Dr Asim Hussain — held various meetings with Chinese leadership including President Xi and Prime Minister Li Qiang.
The visit entailed discussions pertaining to accelerating China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, and security measures for Chinese nationals, promoting cooperation in science and technology, renewable energy, infrastructure and agriculture sectors and various other matters of mutual interests.
Furthermore, the two countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistani and Chinese businesses.
