Not sermons but hard work behind China’s progress: Shehbaz

BEIGING: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Sunday said China did not transform into the second largest economy and military power house in the world through sermons but due to the hard work, sincerity and untiring efforts of its leadership and the people adding that Pakistan felt pride over the achievements of its friend.

Addressing the students and faculty members of Tianjin University, he said, “We have a shared destiny with China and should learn from the knowledge imparted by the Chinese universities to bring economic, agricultural prosperity to the people of Pakistan.”

Members of the prime minister’s delegation, ambassadors and officials were also present.

He said all the endeavors and initiatives of the incumbent government in Pakistan were closely aligned with President Xi’s vision and philosophy that were anchored in the progress and prosperity of the Chinese nation.

He urged the Pakistani students currently studying there to gain the latest knowledge and technology with sheer commitment and hard work and utilize their expertise in Pakistan for the welfare, progress and prosperity of their people.

About Pak-China time-tested friendship, he said it was built by their elder generations through unwavering commitment, honesty and unbelievable sincerity thus laying the foundation of a friendship to stand on pillars of mutual trust.

Shehbaz further said the enduring friendship between the two nations not only stood the tests of time but also faced enormous challenges of history. He said the friendship between the two nations would last forever, no matter what challenges came in their way.

He enumerated the historical facts that forged stronger ties, including Pakistan being the first Muslim country to recognize Peoples Republic of China; about sixty years ago, and PIA’s first direct flight from Karachi to Beijing.

Besides, China’s bold initiative of Karakorum Highway, Pakistan was the last country to receive late Mao, he said, adding these that unique milestones of friendship bound them together and carried significant messages for all and sundry.

He also mentioned that taking 800 million people out of poverty had been the most towering achievement of China and all this was made possible due to the historic transformation by the visionary leadership of President Xi. He said President Xi commitment to the welfare of his people and building a shared destiny and future had inspired the entire world.

The prime minister said the incumbent government in Pakistan was also committed to eradicating corruption and poverty, and expressed satisfaction that during the current tenure of his government, not a single corruption case had emerged.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday visited the National Earthquake Simulation Center at Tianjin University and appreciated the use of modern technology in China for disaster management. The prime minister observed that the modern technology and methods being used in China would prove extremely beneficial for facing the natural disasters in Pakistan. “By benefiting from the Chinese expertise in this regard, Pakistan will be able to adopt effective precautionary measures and strategies for facing the natural disasters in future,” PM Office Media Wing in a press release quoted the prime minister as saying. He said that projects such as the International Medical Center and the China-Pakistan Joint Lab for disaster management in Pakistan should be further strengthened and the partnership between the two countries in this regard should be enhanced.

At the National Earthquake Simulation Center, the prime minister was briefed on disaster management and rescue technologies, including newly developed medical rescue vehicles. He was also given a briefing on the modern technologies developed for precautionary measures against natural disasters.

Shehbaz also met with Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday. Both leaders reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the growing momentum. The Turkish president offered sincere condolences over the loss of precious lives and property as a result of the ongoing floods across various parts of Pakistan.

Shehbaz Sunday attended the reception for world leaders participating in the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting in Tianjin.

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Prime Minister Sharif and leaders of other countries.

The prime minister held informal meetings with President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Maldives Mohamed Muizzu and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

The summit opened in Tianjin on Sunday, with leaders set to discuss security and economic cooperation at the group’s largest-ever meeting.

Meanwhile, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation security forum now bears “greater responsibility” for safeguarding regional peace and stability, as well as promoting the development and prosperity of its member states, Chinese President Xi Jinping told about 20 world leaders he hosted on Sunday evening. The ongoing SCO Summit shoulders the important mission of building consensus among all parties and stimulating momentum in cooperation, Xi was cited as telling a welcome banquet, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

The two-day summit is being held in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.

Xi also underscored the SCO’s mission for the development and prosperity of its member states as he hosted and addressed the high-profile gathering at a banquet on Sunday evening.

The ongoing SCO summit shoulders the important mission of building consensus among all parties and stimulating momentum in cooperation, Xi was cited as telling the assembled leaders, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

Modi said in his opening remarks that ties with China have moved in “a meaningful direction”, adding that “there is a peaceful environment at the borders after disengagement”. He also noted “the importance of peace and tranquillity on the border areas for continued development of bilateral relations,” according to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

“The interests of 2.8 billion people of both countries are linked to our cooperation. This will also pave the way for the welfare of the entire humanity,” Modi told Xi.

Xi said regarding ties with India that he hoped the Tianjin meeting will “further elevate” and “promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations”, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The two sides should “not let the border issue define the overall China-India relationship”, Xi said, adding that economic development should be their focus.

“As long as they remain committed to the overarching goal of being partners, not rivals, and providing development opportunities, not threats, China-India relations will flourish and move forward steadily,” Xi said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Tianjin, China, The Guardian reported.

The Russian leader will take part in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin today and tomorrow.

He is then due to travel to Beijing to hold talks with Xi and possibly North Korean leader Kim Jong-un later on in the week.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the two-day summit brings together heads of state and government from more than 20 countries.

Among them are Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, and Kazakh and Uzbek presidents.

In addition, the leaders of 10 international organisations have been invited, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres and representatives of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

The summit, from August 31 to September 1, marks the fifth time China has hosted the event and will be the largest in the organization’s history.

Since Saturday, Chinese President Xi Jinping is holding intensive bilateral meetings with foreign leaders on the sidelines of the summit, where he has underscored the importance of friendship, practical cooperation and multilateralism.Over the past five years, trade between China and other SCO members has surged, hitting a record $512.4 billion in 2024. A recent CGTN poll showed that over 85 percent of respondents in SCO countries believe China’s BRI has achieved remarkable results in promoting connectivity and high-quality development among SCO member states.

In a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Xi stressed that multilateralism, solidarity, and cooperation were the right answer to global challenges.