PPP delegation in China to foster friendship

URUMQI (CHINA): The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) delegation led by Vice President PPP Parliamentarians Senator Sherry Rehman arrived in Urumqi (China) on Saturday, on the invitation of the Chinese government to deepen the growing security, development and economic partnership between the two countries.

The delegation will build on enduring ties between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the PPP across three generations of both.

Members of the delegation include Sindh Transport and Mass Transit Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, former Deputy Speaker  and Central Information Secretary of PPP Parliamentarians  Faisal Karaim Kundi, Senator Karim Khawaja, Senator Sassui Palejo, MNA Imran Leghari, MPA Khwaja Muhammad Nizam-ul-Mehmood, former MP for Gilgit Baltistan  Advocate Amjad Hussain, former MNA for KP Noor Alam Khan, former MNA for Fata Akhunzada Chattan, former MNA for Punjab Ghulam Murtaza Satti, former MNA for Punjab Nadeem Afzal Chan and former MPA for Punjab Natasha Daultana. The official visit begins on Monday in the city of Urumqi and concludes on Saturday in Beijing, with a visit to the city of Wuhan as well.

The delegation will meet with the leadership of Xinjiang Autonomous Region’s Foreign Affairs Office to enhance the level of exchange and cooperation between Xinjiang and its neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan. Xinjiang is one of the most important cities for the CPEC project. Apart from security, the visit would also focus on the development and economic partnership between Pakistan and China. In Wuhan and Beijing, the delegation will meet with high level CPC leadership and will also interact with think tanks.

The aim is to enhance a better bilateral understanding of changing regional dynamics and the benefits of economic cooperation.

Talking to The News, Vice Presidnet PPP Parliamentarians Senator Sherry Rehman said the the People's Republic of China is Pakistan's all-weather friend, while the relationship between the PPP and the CPC goes back to the days of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali and Chairman Mao.

Sherry Rehman said through all its governments, the PPP, whether under Shaheed Benazir Bhutto or President Asif Ali Zardari, has developed its ties with the CPC across the board, while the new generation under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal has looked to Beijing as a dependable ally and friend.