PPP asks Chinese govt to declare Wuhan city as Karachi’s twin

WUHAN (China): The Pakistan People’s Party had proposed the Chinese government to declare China’s Wuhan city as a twin of Karachi and sought Chinese expertise in urban mass transit. PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman said Sindh government is keen to develop KT bander as seaport and Chinese cooperation can indeed be helpful in this regard.

While Yu Shaoliang, member standing committee of Communist Party of China said that the province of Hubai can help Sindh in development of energy and road infrastructure as companies based in the province are already developing Gwadar seaport in Balochistan. He said we can extend cooperation in energy, construction, shipping sectors.

Earlier in the day meeting with provincial authorities of Hubai provincial government in China, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman, who is leading a thirteen-member delegation of the Pakistan People’s Party in China, in meeting with the provincial government’s Development & Reform Commission, proposed to declare the Chinese city of Wuhan the twin city of Karachi and sought the help in establishing similar transit management models for Karachi and the larger Sindh province. The provincial government’s Development & Reform Commission was represented by Deputy DG Liu Qi Gang, and included the divisional ministers for Foreign and Economic Trade and Transportation among others.

Other recommendations floated during the meeting included the establishment of a foundation that will select and finance small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) that will be managed by experts and technology sharing between the two countries. Rehman suggested that China should look into microfinance ventures in Pakistan, which offers a very effective.

In her opening remarks during the meeting, Senator Sherry Rehman commented on the similarity between industrial cities in Pakistan and China, particularly those where river economies were challenged by rapid climate degradation as well as industrial misuse. She asked the Chinese officials of the provincial government of Wuhan to share perspectives and lessons from Wuhan’s green industrial policies.

Provincial Minister of Sindh Transport and Mass Transit Syed Nasir Hussain Shah requested Chinese expertise in urban mass transit that may help in establishing similar transit management models for Karachi and the larger Sindh province.

The high ranking Pakistani delegation was received by the Hubei provincial leadership upon their arrival in Wuhan. They met with the Provincial Development and Reform Commission to discuss economic reforms, industrial growth as well as a host of other development related initiatives taken by the Hubei province.

Senator Sherry Rehman lauded the development of Hubei and China’s overall transformation. She praised the work that the Communist Party of China (CPC) has achieved at the grass root level.

“Pakistan wants to be most important partner of China in this quantum leap which is the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative,” said Rehman. “The world is studying China with great interest,” she said. “Pakistan is one of China’s oldest friends and a student of Chinese growth.” She said that at a time when the world economy is going down and inequality is increasing, China is surging ahead. “China is a driver of growth, connectivity, infrastructure and energy,” said the Senator.

Referring to OBOR as the new innovation in linkage, she said, “Pakistan wants to be the most important partner of China in this quantum leap.” “We see China as more than a country- a great civilisation that is finding its voice,” declared Rehman. “China is looking to become a smart-knowledge economy.”

Rehman said Pakistan is looking forward to securing and realising the opportunities embedded in the CPEC. She said the PPP agrees with China, that a country’s greatness lies in its people. She said shared goal during the eras of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, president Zardari and now PPP Chairman Bilawal was to transform the region and Asia as a connectivity hub and economic growth engine of the century.

Members of the delegation also exchanged views with the senior provincial officials and spoke of resolving common challenges such as climate change, stresses on the Himalayan system. Senator Sherry Rehman in conclusion said that PPP looks forward to enriching relations and thanked the hosts for the continuing hospitality. “Looking forward your visit to Pakistan, especially Sindh,” she said.

Recommendations floated during the meeting included the establishment of a foundation that will select and finance small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) that will be managed by experts and technology sharing between the two countries.