China doesn’t seek price for ties: Shahbaz

Says it neither seeks military bases nor insists on ‘do more’; Belt and Road envisaged on principle of respecting sovereignty, not supremacy and discriminatory attitude; discloses he used to work on lathe machines; addresses Industrial Cooperation Road Show in Tianjin

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has described the One Belt One Road theory as a great document, saying it was based on human welfare and honour and respect of different nations of the world.

He was addressing a business conference and road show held under the aegis of the Punjab government at Tianjin, a famous industrial city of China. “China does not force other countries to follow its conditions. It does not demand the price of relations from friends. Similarly, China does not repeat 'do more' in response to its cooperation,” the chief minister remarked. Shahbaz added: “China does not ever ask for military or air bases.”

He said the address of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Belt and Road Forum exhibited his leadership greatness, acumen, futuristic approach and deep understanding of history. "This wonderful speech would be remembered for centuries," he added.

He said unlike other international agreements and programmes of the past, the One Belt One Road initiative was a desire for good future and collective well-being of all the human beings. He said China achieved the current stature in the world through sheer hard work. “From Chairman Mao to President Xi Jinping, the Chinese leadership has taken revolutionary decisions, which changed the destiny of the people. The Chinese people have come a long way to this stage by going through different agonies.

“They, therefore, very well know and understand human pains and sufferings. That’s why China wants to help those nations who have been left behind to move forward. The Belt and Road [plan] has been designed on the concept of cooperation instead of collision, collaboration instead of supremacy, and collectiveness instead of discriminatory attitude,” the chief minister noted.

He said China did not demand the price of its cooperation from Pakistan. “It only requires that we work hard and make Pakistan stronger and economically prosperous.” Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated the Punjab-China Industrial Cooperation Road Show. Investors and representatives of financial institutions from across China attended the event.

Shahbaz visited the stalls set up by different Pakistani companies and organisations. He took keen interest in the stall of TEVTA. The Chinese artistes sung Pakistani songs and presented music during the show. The chief minister sung “main bhi Pakistan hun, tou bhi Pakistan hai” along with the singers.

On the occasion, the Chinese investors shared their experiences with regard to Punjab and said the province provided the best environment to them. The chief minister assured them of solving the problems of foreign investors under his supervision.

Shahbaz’s address was appreciated the office bearers of the Communist Party of China, Chinese officials and investors. A senior official of the Communist Party of China, after the culmination of his speech, told the chief minister that “you deserve accolades for stating the facts with bravery.”

A high official of Chinese foreign ministry confided to a Punjab minister that “the address of your chief minister was also historic and he has represented the less-developed countries of the world in the true sense”.

At a reception hosted by Tianjin Mayor Wang Dongfeng, the chief minister said there was tremendous potential of further increase in trade collaboration. Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif disclosed that he had been operating the lathe machine in the past.

During a visit to the Tianjin University of Technology and Education, he inspected different sections of the University and had a glimpse of new and old machines.

When a companion inquired from the chief minister whether he remembers something after seeing these machines, he replied that his late father used to operate these machines and he also had worked on that.

During his stay in the city, an agreement was also signed between the Punjab government and Tianjin for setting up technical and vocational education university in the province. The Tianjin University of Technology and Education will extend cooperation for the purpose.

Shahbaz also visited Tianjin Economic, Technological Development Area (TEDA). The latest infrastructure has been provided in this industrial park that covers an area of 450 square miles.

On the occasion, the chief minister expressed his desire to set up a similar industrial area in the Punjab. He said the competence and experience of China in setting up of industrial parks was acknowledged the world over.

He said Punjab Industries Minister Sheikh Allauddin would again visit the TEDA Thursday (today) and hold detailed discussions with the Chinese officials for cooperation in the technical sector.

An MoU was signed between the Punjab government and International Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tianjin, under which immediate steps would be taken to extend and expand trade, business and economic relations between Punjab and Tianjin.