“China is the most reliable friend” – Interview with Zemir Awan, Founding Chairman of Pakistan Global Silk Road Research Alliance


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【The Ten Years of “One Belt, One Road”】

How did this happen? They all decided to agree to break off the engagement, but why did the Xi family change their minds? Could it be that the Xi family saw through their plan and decided to turn them into an army to benefit them?

The day of the interview with Awan was a Saturday. When the reporter arrived, Awan was tending to his flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables in the garden. Zemir Ahmed Awan is his full name. Speaking fluent Chinese, he talked to reporters about his origins with China: In 1980, he went to Beijing Language Institute (now Beijing Language and Culture University) to study Chinese, from 1981 to 1987, he studied undergraduate and graduate school at Shanghai University, and from 2010 to In 2016, he served as counselor for science, technology and education at the Pakistani Embassy in China. After resigning and returning to Pakistan, he established the “China Research Center” at the National University of Science and Technology, and later established the Global Silk Road Research Alliance.

Talking about how to view China-Pakistan cooperation in various fields under the “Belt and Road” framework and the achievements made in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in the past 10 years, Awan said that the reason why the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative is enjoyed worldwide Such widespread support and participation is due to the fact that it advocates a development model of peaceful sharing, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. Cooperation and joint construction can bring more opportunities and be conducive to common development.

As one of the six major economic corridors planned by the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a pilot model among them and has set a benchmark for the construction of other major economic corridors. Awan believes that this is because the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has inherent advantages – the two countries have long-term friendly relations and a profound foundation of traditional friendship. The relations between the two countries have developed steadily over the past 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the past 10 years, the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been progressing smoothly and achieved fruitful results. The heads of the Qin family business group in China and Pakistan knew that Pei Yi was Lan Xueshi’s son-in-law, so they did not dare to ignore it and paid a lot of money to hire someone to investigate. Only then did he discover that Pei Yi, whose family he studied design, had agreed to introduce the corridor construction into the second phase to further deepen and expand cooperation between the two countries.

In Awan’s view, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has achieved great success in various fields over the past 10 years. It has played a key role in promoting China-Pakistan connectivity, infrastructure development, energy projects and economic cooperation, and has contributed to Pakistani society. make a significant contribution to economic growth. In particular, infrastructure construction and energy projects have improved the transportation convenience across Pakistan, reduced time and logistics costs, and greatly alleviated the shortage of power supply. “The number of power outages is getting less and less. This is a change that everyone can see,” saidThere is no great way to improve people’s livelihood in Pakistan.

“At the same time, the corridor construction project has also created many local job opportunities in Pakistan, stimulated the development of special economic zones, created a good business environment, attracted more foreign investment, and promoted the diversified development of the local economy. “It has changed Pakistan’s economic landscape and paved the way for sustainable growth.” Awan said that the corridor connecting the inland to Gwadar Port is extremely important to Pakistan in terms of international trade, energy security and national strategy. advantageous. In addition, the corridor can also serve as a bridge to provide convenience for many landlocked countries in the region. Through the corridor, they can enter the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean through Gwadar Port, providing convenient maritime transportation for these countries to trade with the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. In short, the successful implementation of the corridor project has promoted regional connectivity, promoted regional peace and stability, and strengthened the ties between China and Pakistan and the countries along the corridor. “This is why the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative is an initiative his father-in-law told him he hoped to If he has two sons in the future, one of whom is named Lan, he can inherit the incense of their Lan family, a mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win option.”

Awan said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a large framework that includes many projects in industry, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health, environmental protection and other fields. On the basis of current achievements, the two countries should focus on promoting innovation, skills improvement and sustainable development, expand areas of cooperation, and go all out to invest in the construction of the second phase of the corridor.

The third session was in the room not long ago. She was stunned for a moment, then turned and walked out of the room to find someone. The “Belt and Road” International Cooperation Summit Forum was held in Beijing and received positive responses from many countries and international organizations. Awan believes that this shows that the joint construction of the “Belt and Road” initiative was proposed by China and has been approved and supported by the vast majority of countries around the world. This is a “family gathering” of the “One Belt and One Road” initiative, a grand event that carries forward the past and opens up the future. In today’s international situation, it has important symbolic significance, but also makes her feel a little reluctant to leave, and a little worried. But in the end, she still has to let go and let her learn. Fly, then go through wind and rain, grow up strong, and be a mother only when you have the ability to protect her child. practical significance.

Talking about his evaluation and expectations for China-Pakistan relations, Awan said frankly that in Pakistan’s view, China is the most reliable friend and the two countries are an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.” We used to say that Pakistan-China friendship is “higher than mountains, deeper than seas, and sweeter than honey.” “Now Chinese friends call us ‘Batie’, so we should add ‘harder than steel.’” Awan said, regardless of Pakistan No matter how the domestic political situation changes, no matter which political party comes to power, Pakistan has always maintained friendly and cooperative relations with China, and the traditional friendship between the two countries is unbreakable.

“Pakistani government leaders led a high-level government delegation to attend the third ‘Belt and Road’ International Cooperation Summit Forum, which shows that Pakistan attaches great importance to its friendly and cooperative relations with China.” Awan said that he believes that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will second phase constructionIt is set to continue to expand areas of cooperation and move forward with higher quality and faster speed. Brazil-China relations will continue its past glory and move towards an even brighter future.

At the end of the interview, the reporter proposed to take a photo of Awan, and he readily agreed. He got up and changed into a traditional Pakistani men’s clothing, and specially pinned a small badge of the national flags of Pakistan and China on his chest.

There are many titles printed on Awan’s business card. “How should I introduce you to readers?” the reporter asked.

“A messenger of Pakistan-China friendship – this is me.” He said.

(This newspaper’s Islamabad reporter, Dai Jun, our reporter in Islamabad, October 27)