On July 21, Consul General Zhao Shiren Met with Tayyab Ijaz, Executive Editor of Pakistan Urdu Digest and his entourage, and was asked to give an interview on China-Pakistan relations, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and China's foreign policy. The following is the interview record:
The Consul General of China, Mr. Zhao Shiren had accepted our request to grant us an interview. We were welcomed graciously at the consulate in Lahore where we found His Excellency already waiting for us. He greeted us warmly and we began our conversation over a cup of coffee. We introduced Urdu Digest in some detail. H.E was very appreciative of the legacy of Urdu Digest and the way we were carrying forward the torch. He suggested that if Urdu Digest were to become a bilingual publication it would appeal to more readership in China and help strengthen our bilateral relations.
H.E said that he was actually awaiting an opportunity where he could share his views with the people of Pakistan and he happily took up this chance we offered. He started with letting us peek into his personal journey.
He was born in 1970 into a moderately better-off family in the countryside of the coastal Zhejiang province, southeastern part of China. Most of his early boyhood was immersed with nature and the village life. After school time, he helped raise family cattle. During the time of his birth, China had not yet implemented birth control and family planning policies. Consequently, his family was relatively large, consisting of five children, including himself, with one junior brother and three sisters. His father, who worked as a small trader and farmer, unfortunately passed away nine years ago. Both he and his mother were firm believers in the importance of education and career development. They always encouraged him to prioritize his studies. His parents saw Mr. Zhao’s keen interest in education and made him focus on it by keeping him away from daily chores. He considers himself fortunate to have been able to pursue his education without any concerns. He was proud of the fact that his mother still resides in his hometown. He visits her as often as he can.
We were curious to understand the effects of western education and culture on His Excellency. He very openly shared with us that in China education is highly valued as the key to lifting people out of poverty and advancing socially. Parents are committed to providing the best education for their children to ensure a successful career and a healthy lifestyle. In the past, when China was not open enough to the world and had limited access to information, textbooks were the primary source of knowledge. Television was a novelty, and TV sets had to be imported from Japan. He himself saw TV for the first time in 1984 which was black and white. During his education Chinese was the predominant language of instruction in primary school, while English was introduced in secondary school, but only the textbooks were in English. A dedicated and excellent English teacher played a crucial role in sparking his interest in the language.
The education system consisted of three levels: primary (5 years), secondary (6 years), and college (4 years). In rural areas, schooling began around the age of 7 due to the absence of preschools. With China's reforms and opening up, significant changes have occurred, and many books in different languages, like French, German, and English, have been translated into Chinese. Over time, his daughter's schooling experience showcased the changes in China's education system. Now she is studying in the USA, further illustrating the global perspective and opportunities available to Chinese students.
Before getting into Foreign Affairs College (now renamed as China Foreign Affairs University) in Beijing, H.E received primary and secondary education in his hometown. He was interested in learning English and foreign languages and had a fascination for current affairs and international politics. It was a pride for him when he became the first youngster to go to college in Beijing in the history of his hometown, and he was and remains the first diplomat ever from the county (equivalent to the district in Pakistan) of his birth. His educational and professional careers went hand in hand with the overall development and transformation of the motherland. It really hinged on the reform and opening up policy adopted and implemented by then central leadership and particularly the late senior leader Deng Xiaoping. “The advancement and betterment of people in my generation owes a lot to the Party and government”, he proudly declared.
After college graduation, though more than one career options awaited him, he made a decision without hesitation to join the foreign service. H.E worked at the Spokesman’s Office, Information Department and the Party’s General Office of the ministry, respectively. H.E got his first posting as vice consul in New York City, following this he was posted at the Chinese embassy in Ghana as deputy chief of mission (DCM). Later he was assigned to the embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark again as DCM, this somewhat elevated his status to the minister-counselor portfolio. In between, he also worked as Deputy Director General of the Trade and Expo Bureau of the provincial government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, which is a Muslim dominated province, and received training both at Indonesian Foreign Service Academy and Georgetown University of the United Sates. May 2022 saw his arrival in Lahore, Pakistan, assuming the office of Consul General of China. Though it was his first engagement with Pakistan and the sub-continent at large, H.E enjoyed the posting and wished to do more service to China, to Punjab and to promoting the bilateral relations. During his efforts to reach out and connect with the people of Pakistan, he has observed that they hold a positive attitude towards China and vice versa.
There was when China had plummeted to depths from being a culturally and economically prospering nation. We asked His Excellency to outline the reasons for this decline from a major power in late 19th century and early 20th century to nearing bankruptcy. It was a sobering thought for him. Yet he found the courage to narrate to us in detail those times. From 16th century to early 19th century, China held a position of great power on the international stage, with its GDP accounting for approximately 40% of the global level. China then, with a huge population and vast land and sea territories, had tremendous strength and power and enjoyed prime position for a long time among the Comity of nations. The Chinese people have along with the historical development, built up a strong sense of self-pride and dignity. However, the Opium War, initiated by the British in the 1840s, coupled with numerous challenges, including corruption, government mismanagement, and a shift in the mindset of the Chinese people, marked a turning point in China's fate. This process of sustainable growth was dealt a big blow and met with serious setbacks came late part of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The repercussions were profound, as China went from being a major power to a semi-feudal and semi-colonized society, resulting in a feeling of humiliation and suffering among the populace.
Fortunately, the Communist Party of China (CPC) emerged as a guiding force during this tumultuous time, preventing China from further decline and turmoil. The Communist Party of China came to rescue the Chinese people, uplifting them for a better life and saving China from going down further into an untoward destiny. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, China has come back, regaining momentum in socioeconomic development, keeping long-term social stability, making national defense strong, conducting foreign policy independently and effectively, revitalizing the culture and civilization, modernizing its education, industry, agriculture and science and technology, having a lion’s share in world economy. It was under the inspirational leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping from 1949 to 1990s that changed the course of future China. China has earned back its historically rightful place, dignity and glory among the world powers.
The present China is embarking on the journey of national rejuvenation or national renaissance. In other word, the 1.4 billion Chinese people, under the strong leadership of Communist Party of China with President Xi Jinping at the core, are making relentless efforts to fulfill the Chinese Dream--that is, to attain the centenary goal to make China great again! We are striving for a modernized China, a stronger and more prosperous and beautiful China! China remains committed to independent foreign policy of peace and seeks no hegemony, nor will it engage in block politics. The rise of China is a blessing for humanity, making positive contribution to world peace, security and prosperity.
The Chinese people hold deep affection for the CPC due to its role in rescuing the nation. However, there is a misconception that China only has one political party. Apart from the CPC, there are eight other parties that actively participate in state affairs. Nevertheless, there is a need to improve public awareness to address this misunderstanding. It was truly eye-opening for us in learning to embrace China’s past and its rise from the ashes to soar higher than ever. The current economic and societal situation of China is far better than when Mr. Zhao was young. A majority of the population was stricken with poverty and struggling and even he, as mentioned before, had to help his family after school and took care of the cattle and geese.
We shared our experience and visits to China, where we have observed that China has drastically developed its condition and pulled a large majority of its population out of Poverty (800 Million). We were very interested to know the the conditions before China started its development. His excellency gave us very detailed insight into the progress and build-up of China we see today. Yet he started with unmistakable pride in its roots. China is not only a country and a state, but it is also an old and glorious civilization. During its history of more than 5000 years, it is the only ancient civilization in the world whose survival, existence and development never ever being interrupted or stopped.
Prior to the reforms, in the 1960s, Pakistan's economic situation was actually better than China's. However, the Chinese government recognized the urgent need for change and understood that staying complacent was not an option. The pressing internal and external factors necessitated immediate action. Consequently, the government initiated comprehensive reforms to bring China up to international standards. These reforms proved to be transformative, propelling China's economic growth and elevating living standards to surpass even those of Pakistan. The government's dedication to progress and its recognition of the need for change were instrumental in propelling China towards regaining its lost glory and asserting its power on the world stage.
What can we as Pakistanis learn from China’s struggles. We asked His Excellency to shed some light on the major factors in China’s rapid development. He kindly responded to our query with immense respect and feeling for our country and its people. Since spending a year in Pakistan already he had come to understand our culture and peoples. He elaborated that the Chinese people have affection and goodwill towards the Pakistani people also. As proof H.E told us that they have coined a special Mandarin vocabulary of “Ba Tie” (the Iron Brother) for the Pakistanis. His personal observation and local engagement also tell the same story that the Pakistanis have warm feelings towards the Chinese.
China and Pakistan are neighboring countries and enjoy all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. This friendship is unique and time-tested. We stand by each other and render mutual support on bilateral and multilateral fora. China values its long-standing relations with Pakistan and is committed to further developing good neighborly friendly bilateral ties. We are making joint efforts to build a closer and stronger China-Pakistan community with a shared future. Pakistan is a sovereign country and belongs to the Pakistanis, and the people of all walks of life have high stake in its governance, development and destiny. China, together with other countries on earth, is in no position to dictate a road map or a vision for Pakistan. Nonetheless, Pakistan always remains on priority of China’s foreign policy agenda. China, out of goodwill and utmost sincerity and with due respect, wants to help, facilitate, and see a stable, developing and prosperous Pakistan emerging on the sub-continent, as it is in the interest of Pakistan, China and the region beyond.
China's rapid development can be attributed to four key factors on the individual level. First and foremost is the unwavering dedication and hard work of its people. Secondly, self-discipline is considered a prerequisite for progress and growth. Thirdly, fostering a peace-loving attitude among the populace has been crucial for advancement, which is also evident in the case of Pakistani people. Lastly, a strong sense of collectivism prevails, instilling a sense of responsibility among citizens to prioritize the nation's well-being over personal interests. Regarding the government and administration, effective policy implementation plays a vital role in a country's development. However, it's important to acknowledge that each country has its unique circumstances, necessitating tailored policies. For instance, the policies successfully employed in China may not be suitable for Pakistan in every case. To ensure effective policy implementation, a strong central government is essential, exemplified by China's governance led by the Communist Party of China (CPC). His Excellency could personally relate to this, as his parents also worked tirelessly day and night to lift his family out of poverty and provide for their needs.
It was an engaging account of a nation’s history and its road to the future. We were however now keen to know His Excellency’s ideas and plans regarding the relationship with Pakistan as a business partner. What measures are the governments taking to address the obstacles that hinder Chinese investors from fully engaging in business collaborations and tapping into Pakistan's potential within the CPEC plan. There were some questions in our minds as there has been little B-2-B collaboration between the countries. Throughout his interactions with the local business community, a recurring concern has been raised about the B-2-B collaborations between China and Pakistan within the CPEC framework. These concerns, voiced out of goodwill, have prompted His Excellency to contemplate the issue further.
His Excellency said, “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the shining example and exemplary hallmark of the deepening China-Pakistan friendship and partnership. Being the key component and signature project of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by China in 2013, CPEC has showcased China’s unswerving commitment to and unflinching support of the development of Pakistan. ” CPEC has been a catalyst and a driving force for Pakistan’s socioeconomic development. In the past decade, CPEC, by covering Gwadar, energy, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, information technology, disaster prevention and mitigation and many more areas, has achieved fruitful early harvests, and made significant contributions to tackling Pakistan’s infrastructural and power deficits, improving people’s well-being, strengthening people to people exchanges and enhancing regional connectivity. So far China has invested more than $ 25 billion FDI in CPEC-related projects, and created 23, 6000 jobs and employed 155, 000 local people by the end of 2022. 13 power generation projects with a total installed capacity of 8020 MW and one HVDC transmission line with evacuation capacity of 4000 MW have achieved their commercial operation.
Now CPEC has entered into its second phase. This year marks the ten-year development of the CPEC. October will witness the holding of the third High-level International Forum on Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing, a major diplomatic initiative by China to uplift the BRI and the CPEC to a new level. Given Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s successful visit to China last November, coupled with the recent special visit by Special Representative of President Xi Jinping and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to Pakistan, more consensus have been reached between the two governments. More focus and resources have been given to the development of special economic zones, industrial relocation, agricultural cooperation and renewable energy. The Mainline-1 railway project is also set to pick up pace. In light of the above-mentioned factors, plus a stabilizing political situation of Pakistan, Consul General Zhao believed going forward, CPEC will remain on track and even expedites its process, striving for a high-quality and sustainable development.
CPEC is for geo-economics and regional connectivity. It has no hidden agenda, nor has it any geo-strategic ambition or military dimension. By putting forward the initiative and pushing this mega project, China wants the shared growth, progress and common prosperity for all. It is conducive to regional peace and development. CPEC is more than a gift that China gave to Pakistan. It should be deemed as a joint venture, a shared undertaking and a common endeavor. Both China and Pakistan own the projects. However, some elements out there are not happy to see the progress of the CPEC, nor are they pleased to see the phenomenal development of China-Pakistan bilateral relations. Therefore, we should work together to counter the negative propaganda on CPEC, further align our development strategies, and spare no efforts in making CPEC more resilient, vibrant and sustainable. By taking the driver’s seat, Pakistani friends are advised to do more in this regard. Pakistanis are resilient and capable of managing its own affairs, while CPEC’s future requires taking all stakeholders on board. China has Pakistan’s back and sincerely wishes Pakistan and the region peace, harmony and growth.
Regarding B-2-B collaborations, he believed they hold even greater significance than G-2-G interactions, albeit with more challenges. These collaborations span various sectors, from agriculture to manufacturing, necessitating careful consideration. Some Chinese companies have already invested in Pakistan and are performing well. Mr. Zhao has been consulting with PBIT (Punjab Board of Investment and Trade) and related ministries, emphasizing that the Chinese government encourages entrepreneurs to establish industries in Pakistan. However, H.E also realized the importance of Pakistan's business environment and conditions, urging the government to ponder whether they are appealing to foreign investors. A two-sided effort is required for successful collaborations. Moreover, he advised caution in establishing too many Special Economic Zones (SEZs) without thorough planning and enhanced alignment of strategy and ensuring the availability of sufficient infrastructure, transportation and communication networks, and access to raw material supplies. Foreign investors may also have security concerns, limiting their movement. He stresses the necessity of resolving this issue, while acknowledging the government and law enforcement's current efforts to safeguard foreigners from harm.
With profound plans to maintain and strengthen regional unity China now stands tall with tremendous force and aspirations. One is compelled to think What is China’s role in international politics.
The world is undergoing historical changes never seen before. More uncertainty and unpredictability are prevailing, with ever growing and widening deficits in peace, development, security and governance. Humanity once again comes to a crossroad. With strong leadership of the Party and government, plus introduction of reform and opening up policy, China has, in the past several decades, developed itself into a major power in the world. China has the second largest economy, a strong national defense and an innovative science and technology, becoming the largest trading partner with more than 140 countries worldwide. China is on the trajectory of rise and has more say and greater role to play in international affairs.
China is embarking on national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization, which will bring new opportunities to and positive impact on the world. Chinese modernization covers a huge population of over 1.4 billion, and strives for common prosperity for all Chinese people, meeting their aspirations for a better life. The Chinese modernization is of material and cultural-ethical advancement. It works to promote harmony between humanity and nature, properly tackling climate change and environmental challenges to ensure sustainable development. The Chinese modernization is committed to peaceful development, devoid of the old path of war, colonization and plunder. All in all, the Chinese modernization is a great contribution to world peace and development and provides a new paradigm for international community and the developing countries in particular to share and grow.
Against this backdrop, China remains committed to upholding world peace and common development. they believe that building a human community with a shared future is the only way forward for the world and we are of the view that China will stay on the right side of history. It is in this spirit that China has put forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. We are dedicated to building a world of lasting peace, shared benefits and common development.
China upholds and safeguards the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order underpinned by international law and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We call for true multilateralism and fair and just international order. We stand firmly against all forms of hegemony, expansionism and power politics, the Cold War mentality, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and double standards. China remains on the track of peaceful development, and we are calling on the international community to adopt the same approach. By developing ourselves we can contribute more to world peace, security and prosperity.
China supports economic globalization in its right direction. It strives to promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, advance bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation, and boost international macroeconomic policy coordination. China is opposed to decoupling, de-risking, disruption of industrial and supply chains.
China plays more active role in reforming and developing the global governance system. It pursues shared growth through consultation and collaboration. China advocates greater democratization in international relations and works for a fairer and more equitable and inclusive global governance.
China is actively involved in shaping global security arrangement and works to strengthen international security cooperation. We will continue to take active part in UN peacekeeping operations and play constructive role in ensuring world peace and regional stability.
China is ready to do more for global development cooperation. We are committed to narrowing the North-South gap and rendering support and assistance to developing countries in particular. The world is fraught with challenges, it is also brimming with hope. The Chinese people are ready to work with people across the world to create a brighter future for humanity.
Such high ambitions and strong wills were portrayed by His Excellency that we could not help but be inspired. Talking of current times, the mentioning of Covid and post Covid times is unavoidable. It was China’s greatest foe of recent times. How China withstood the effects of covid 19. How has it recovered and what internal issues are faced by its people and government in recovery were extremely relevant issues. His Excellency shared the experiences of the past few years. After almost three-year prevalence, Covid 19 pandemic has been brought under control in China. Life there, like in other countries, returns to normal or a new normal. During this period, China has withstood the impact of several infection waves. The Chinese government, by adopting “people-first & life-first approach”, has waged a ruthless campaign and won the battle. The success can be manifested by the lowest rates of both severe cases and mortality numbers.
A last question begged attention: the role China had played in bridging the gap between Iran and Saudi Arabia was a promising prelude to the influence China could exercise on the global community. We asked His Excellency if there was any ambition towards the solution of prevailing world problems such as the Kashmir issue, the Palestine issue and the Ukraine issue. Mr. Zhao outlined China’s policy on the Israel-Palestine and Ukraine-Russia issues. China understands these as very important to global community and economy and is looking to reach a solution for both. He described China as being keenly interested in regional stability. Iran being a neighbor and Saudi Arabia being a close ally of Pakistan, he understood the value of continued cooperation in the region for both countries. Mr. Zhao even included India as an integral part of this cooperation. He highlighted the fact that China has never demanded that Pakistan sever ties with India rather has always insisted that regional cooperation among the giant economies and military strengths can only bear fruitful results. He maintained that China unwaveringly supports Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and has always promoted peaceful talks as the only solution to this long-standing issue.
This was the end of our time with His excellency. We presented him with a gift of Pakistani mangoes and flowers. He was very happy to receive these as he finds Pakistani mangoes to be the best in the world. As one of his first exclusive interviews in Pakistan His Excellency was happy to have been part of the legacy of Urdu Digest.
We were thankful for the comprehensive time His Excellency had given us.