Prime Minister Pakistan accepts exclusive interviews with the Global Times: China -Pakistan Economic Corridor shows a win -win spirit

[Global Times reporter Xing Xiaojing Liu Caiyu] Pakistan ushered in the 75th anniversary of the independence on August 14. At this special moment, the Global Times reporters were exclusively interviewed with a wide range of topics such as China -Pakistan relations, regional and world situations, etc., and exclusively interviewed Pakistan Prime Minister Charpz Sherif. On April 11 this year, Charpz Sharif gave a speech after he was elected Prime Minister Pakistan, saying that he would vigorously promote the construction of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor. In this interview, Prime Minister Charpz Sherov talked about the great importance to the flagship project of the "Belt and Road" flagship project, and refuted the statement that some countries regarded the construction of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor as a "threat".

Bazhong all -weather strategic partnership deeply rooted in people's hearts

Global Times: Pakistan has held a grand event in the past few days to celebrate the 75th anniversary of independence. You have also promoted the national flag in person and delivered a speech saying that Pakistan's greatest power is the people, especially the majority of young people, and call on all nationals to unite and work together to build a country into an economic power. How do you evaluate the current development path of Pakistan?

Charpz Shelef: Toughness, hard work, and dedication constitute the development story of Pakistan. We have faced many severe challenges, but we have successfully cope with these challenges. We have built a group of high -quality infrastructure. Pakistan is one of the youngest and most talented countries, so it continues to develop and achieve achievements. We have the talent to promote our own development. The development strategy of the joint government depends on how to repair the economic fundamentals of existing potential. In order to stabilize the economy, we urgently need to lay the foundation for the long -delayed structural reform.

We must also deepen economic and trade relations with friendly countries. From geopolitical science to the transformation of the public policy of geopolitical science, we have reached a consensus on behalf of us -we must give play to the potential to promote our accelerated development. The core of our development strategy is to ensure the well -being of the Pakistani people and let Pakistan be self -reliant.

Global Times: What do you think of the "hardcore" friendship between Pakistan and Pakistan?

Charpz Sherif: Bazhong's all -weather strategic partnership is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, covering all fields of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Under the careful cultivation of leaders of the two countries, Pakistan's political factions have a complete consensus on further deepening strategic partnerships.

The two countries support each other's core interests. Pakistan has always firmly supported a Chinese principle that Taiwan is an indispensable part of China. The characteristics of the "hardcore" friendship between us are mutual trust, fully understand and support, and respect each other, and consistent in important regions and global issues. Papuzhong relations are important factor for peace and stability in the region and even the world. Pakistan is one of the earliest supporters of the "Belt and Road" initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Its flagship project has changed Pakistan's economic pattern. Pakistan is also one of the main partners of the global development initiative. I believe that Pakistan and China will continue to work together to build a community of human destiny.

Global Times: Do you often visit China? What impression did China leave you?

Charpz Sherif: I have visited China many times, always amazing in China's rise. For more than 40 years of reform and opening up, nearly 800 million people in China have achieved poverty alleviation. This is an unprecedented great achievement and a miracle of modern society. The concentration, wisdom and determination of Chinese leaders, as well as the hard work of the Chinese nation, have embarked on the road to realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

I also pay attention to the profound impact of Chinese civilization on the world. Whether it is China's governance model, modernization and the rapid development of the economy, or adhering to the people -centered development ideas, it has a reference significance for all developing countries including Pakistan.

Global Times: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held in Beijing. How do you evaluate China's development in the past 10 years? What do you expect to the future development of China?

Charpz Sherif: As I mentioned earlier, China's rise is a modern miracle. The realization of this goal is inseparable from the leadership of the Communist Party of China. In 1949, the Communist Party of China led the people of all ethnic groups across the country to get rid of the shackles of semi -feudal and semi -colonies and established the People's Republic of China. Last year, the Communist Party of China ushered in a century. The Communist Party of China holds the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and is leading China to set off a new journey of comprehensive construction of a socialist modern country.

China has built itself as an economic power. Today, according to the purchasing power parity, China is already the largest economy in the world. The Communist Party of China adheres to the people -centered development thinking, which has improved the living standards of the people, and the per capita income has doubled in 10 years. In my opinion, China's "dual -cycle" strategy and emphasis on high -quality development are formulated for the economic reality of the next ten years. I firmly believe that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese nation will definitely realize the dream of the great rejuvenation of the nation.

Global Times: What do you think of the current world situation? What role is China playing?

Charpz Shelef: I agree with what Chinese leaders say, "Today's world has experienced a big change in a century." The world is turbulent, and the conflict is still affecting many areas of the world. In this era of challenging, developing countries including Pakistan have agreed that China has emphasized that through the establishment of mutual benefit partnership, adhere to peace, development and dialogue to cope with the current international change.

Like the majority of developing countries, Pakistan benefits from the open and inclusive global development platform proposed by President Xi Jinping -the visionary "Belt and Road" initiative. The China -Pakistan Economic Corridor has made Pakistan the fulcrum of regional integration and connects South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. Similarly, the global development initiative provides a comprehensive blueprint for achieving sustainable development goals. In fact, these initiatives show that China has been prepared to bear the responsibility of the great country, strengthen international cooperation, and promote the construction of a community of human destiny. Ensure that the projects under construction in Gwadar Port are completed as scheduled

Global Times: Since you have been the Prime Minister, what new progress has been made in the agreed China -Pakistan Economic Corridor?

Charpz Sherif: The China -Pakistan Economic Corridor helps us improve our local development. As described in Chinese proverbs: It is better to grant people to fish. Since its launch in 2013, the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor has continued to make rapid and practical progress. In the past 10 years, the construction of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor has helped Pakistan to reduce the bottlenecks caused by the shortage of power and weak infrastructure in the past, and laid the foundation for the development of sustainable economic modernization.

As the Prime Minister, I give priority to the timely completion of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor project as the cornerstone of our future bilateral economic cooperation agenda. I visited a number of China -Pakistan Economic Corridor projects including Gwadar Port to ensure that the project was completed as scheduled to benefit the Pakistani people from our cooperation. Chinese companies and investors are the key to our cooperation. The Pakistani government has spared no effort to provide convenience for them, and it is prepared to implement the common priority of the next stage of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor. We will continue to work closely with China to enhance the cooperation between the two countries.

Global Times: What are your expectations for the future planning and development prospects of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor?

Charpz Sherif: The China -Pakistan Economic Corridor has supported the long -term blueprint for the two countries to support each other and enhance the well -being of the people. After realizing the early harvest phase of energy and infrastructure construction, the construction of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor became more and more specific. In the short term, we hope to complete major infrastructure projects under construction as soon as possible, including strategic Pakistan No. 1 railway trunk (ML-1), which will further accelerate industrial transfer and help consolidate us that we integrate into the global value chain status.

Pakistani Prime Minister Charpz Sherif. Data Map

Global Times: In which areas of China and Pakistan can further deepen economic cooperation?

Charpz Shelef: The economy occupies a large proportion of our partnership with China. We are committed to further strengthening this relationship to achieve mutual benefit. China is Pakistan's largest trading partner. The second phase of the Free Trade Agreement was implemented in 2020, which further improved the access of Pakistan's commodities in the Chinese market. Last year, our exports of China reached a record high, reaching $ 3.6 billion. Over the years, China has been Pakistan's largest foreign direct investment country. The financial fields of the two countries have strong cooperation, including the currency exchange agreement. We are exploring how to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of banking, digital currency and e -commerce.

Industrial development is the focus of the Pakistani government. The work of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor Economic Zone is ongoing, and we encourage China to invest in the key industrial fields of Pakistan.

Humanities cooperation is also constantly developing, and the friendship between mutual mutual friendship has become the unshakable cornerstone of our all -weather strategic partnership. Despite the new crown pneumonia's epidemic, the two sides still maintain a good exchange momentum. This is a valuable wealth left by our 71 years of friendship between our two countries, and we will continue to maintain and inherit.

"Pay attention to the life of Chinese friends"

Global Times: What measures did Pakistan take to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel in Pakistan?

Charpz Sharif: Pakistan fully recognizes the threats and challenges facing cooperation between the two countries, especially the threats and challenges brought by complex areas and global environment. We will continue to attach great importance to the safety of Chinese friends. We expressed their deep condolences to the victims of the appalling tragic attacks that have occurred in recent months and express their sincere condolences to their relatives. Chinese personnel in Pakistan are VIPs who have made valuable contributions to Pakistan's development, and Pakistan will continue to provide the best environment for their work. Our government has comprehensively strengthened security measures, and we have made breakthroughs in investigations of despicable behaviors. Those who cooperate against Pakistan and China are the enemies of our own development and the well -being of the people, and they cannot escape the sanctions of justice.

Global Times: What efforts have Pakistan made in cracking down on terrorism and extremism threats?

Charpz Sharif: Pakistan played a dominant role in the region's counter -terrorism struggle. No country in the area has sacrifice more for peace than Pakistan. Pakistan fully reached a consensus on cracking down on terrorism and extremism. Although Pakistan paid a huge price for it -more than 80,000 casualties and more than $ 150 billion in economic losses, we are still determined to defend the anti -terrorism results obtained and completely eradicate terrorism.

This can be done because Pakistan has adopted national measures in cracking down on terrorism. The success of our crackdown on terrorism should also be attributed to the joint efforts and sacrifice of security and law enforcement agencies. Pakistan's efforts to combat global terrorism and extremism are extensive and comprehensive. Our efforts have been widely recognized internationally. China -Pakistan cooperation is not a "threat" to other countries

Global Times: China and Pakistan have agreed that the peace and stability of Afghanistan is essential for regional development and prosperity. In addition to bilateral relations, what role can China and Pakistan play the peace and stability of regional and world?

Charpz Sheriff: Both Pakistan and China have played an important role in allowing the international community to continue to participate in Afghanistan reconstruction. Since its coordination and cooperation mechanism in Afghanistan was founded in September 2021, it has held three Afghan neighboring foreign ministers' meetings so far. The last time was held in Tunxi, China in March this year. Similarly, Pakistan and China are also part of the main international mechanism of Afghanistan's problems, such as "carriage+" and "Moscow model".

As neighboring countries and strategic partners, China and Pakistan have a significant relationship between the overall peace and stability of our region. The two countries and Afghanistan governments and the international community on peace and security, humanitarian assistance, restoration of bank operation, thawing Afghan assets, trade and transit facilitation, infrastructure and energy interoperability projects, and the capacity building of Afghan institutions remained. Communicate.

Pakistan supports the extension of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan to promote regional interconnection and economic integration. It is hoped that our efforts can ensure that the international community will continue to participate in the solution of Afghanistan issues. The ultimate goal is to see a peaceful, stable, prosperous and interconnected Afghanistan, and contribute to the stability and long -term prosperity of the region.

Global Times: If the third party of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor is successful in cooperation, what role will it play in promoting regional development and stability?

Charpz Shelef: The "Belt and Road" advocates interconnection, and the next development of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor will naturally connect the markets in the region and the entire area. The China -Pakistan Economic Corridor aims to allow Pakistan to play the best role in regional economic integration. Pakistan plays a unique role in the major emerging markets. With the increase of third parties, we look forward to more common friends to benefit from it and show the win -win spirit of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Global Times: But some countries have regarded the construction of the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor as a "threat". What do you comment on this?

Charpz Sherif: The China -Pakistan Economic Corridor aims to unite the area together to pursue prosperity and stability. The remarks that regard the China -Pakistan Economic Corridor as "threats" are unreasonable. Unless someone looks at the problem from the perspective of "zero -sum game" and hopes that our people will continue to be deprived of the results of development.

Pakistan has long adhered to the vision of peaceful neighbors -sharing the advantages of our interconnection and productivity. We are not only targeting any party, nor will we rule out any party. Pakistan and China focuses on common development. This is the consensus of the countries and the international community in the region. We hope to promote more international cooperation and help the region break the vicious circle of poverty and conflict. (The original interview is English, the Chinese translation is assisted by the Pakistani Embassy in China)

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