The Communist Party of China (CPC) has sought more exchanges and closer cooperation with Pakistan’s political parties to bolster bilateral ties and create a good environment for the development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“The CPC attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation with Pakistan’s political parties, and will give full play to the advantages of inter-party relations to reach consensus among parties and utilise party-to-party exchanges to build a closer China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the new era,” said Chinese Ambassador to Islamabad Nong Rong.

The Chinese envoy was addressing a webinar hosted by Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) in connection with the upcoming CPC  centenary celebration.

The ambassador said his country was ready with work with Pakistan’s political parties to make good use of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism, according to a Dawn report.

He said China wanted to “actively promote the coordination between CPEC and Naya Pakistan Vision, and strengthen exchanges of ideas, policies and peoples, so as to create a good political and public environment for the high-quality development of the CPEC.”

The envoy’s statement indicated Chinese interest in enhancing multidimensional cooperation with Pakistan’s political parties to address issues related to CPEC.

So far Beijing has only engaged with the government to deal with CPEC-related matters

China was earlier using its engagement with federal and provincial governments to deal with matters pertaining to the CPEC.

By signalling its intent to expand the scope of communication and coordination between the two countries from government and military channels to political parties, Beijing has shown its recognition of the importance of Pakistan’s political parties in the country’s governance system.

The envoy noted “high-degree political mutual trust and close strategic communication” in the bilateral relationship and thanked Pakistan’s political parties for supporting China on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

China, he assured, would continue to support Pakistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; and in seeking a development path that suited its national conditions.

“We are willing to support each other on issues concerning the core interests and major concerns of our two countries, support Pakistan’s political parties to devote themselves to developing Pakistan and consolidating the political foundation for China-Pakistan cooperation,” he maintained.

Chairman of Senate Defence Committee Senator Mushahid Hussain, who also heads Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), said there was complete unanimity of opinion about China in Pakistan.

(SAM)