Pakistan-China friendship cuts across multiple dimension, touching state-to-state and people-to-people relation
Speakers at the book launch of “You and Us: Stories of China and Pakistan” highlighted the special bond shared by the states as well as by the people of Pakistan and China. The book is a compilation of the stories of that friendship by former Chinese officials, interweaving personal recollections inside the most friendlier relation.
The book’s chief compiler, Lu Shulin, is former Ambassador to Pakistan. Speaking in Urdu, he shared the meticulous process he undertook in compiling the book. “I respect Urdu and love it, as I never have felt it a foreign language” he remarked.
The book is based on the experiences more than 20 Chinese diplomats, scholars, journalists and entrepreneurs including Lu Shulin. The book, rolls out a vivid picture of China-Pakistan friendship from different times and perspectives. The preface of the book has been written by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain.
Speaking at the book launch, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Sun Weidong said that the “friendship with man of character is like pure water, and our (China’s) friendship with Pakistan is just like pure water”, adding that, it is said in Chinese that “if you drink pure water, think of those who have dig the well. The stories in this book represent beautiful waves of the water stream flowing on”.
Contributors to the book also spoke on the occasion. The book, they said, provides an outstanding insight to new generation of both the countries, to gain in-depth understanding of the established links between the two countries.
The event was organized by Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in collaboration with Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will translate the two countries in “community of shared destiny”. This, he said, will bring the “you and us” into “we.” Pakistan-China relation has transformed from geostrategic relations into geo-economic orbit. He said Pak-China relations cover three aspects: political, social, and economic.
China has become Pakistan’s largest foreign direct investor because of the CPEC, he said, reminding that the year 2015 has been declared as the year of friendship between Pakistan and China.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Mushahid Hussain provided a historical overview of Pakistan-China relations, whereas Dr. Riffat Hussain, a specialist in International Relations, explored the causes resulting into the “trust development” between the two countries.
Meanwhile, commending the book, former foreign minister Inam ul Haq said the book reflects the trust between the leadership and people of two countries. The good thing between the two countries is that Chinese leadership has never imposed their decisions upon their Pakistani counterparts. Such is the level of trust.