ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rasheed on Wednesday said that friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
The Minister expressed these view during a meeting with Wang Sanyun, Member of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Party Secretary of Gansu Province of Peoples Republic of China, who called on him along with a delegation.
He said that Pakistan attaches highest priority to its relations with China as this bond is mooted in will of the people of both the countries.
The minister said that CPEC has further expanded the relationship by providing it a solid economic foundation and can now be termed as corporate strategic partnership.
Pakistan-China friendship is unique in a sense that it enjoys across-the-board political, institutional and popular support in Pakistan, he added.
He said that Pakistan believes that practical benefits of our excellent strategic ties should accrue to the people of the two countries.
Pervaiz Rasheed also underscored the importance to further promote the people-to-people exchanges by collaborating in the fields of media, information and culture.
“Cooperation in the field of media and bilateral cultural exchanges would indeed play a pivotal role in transmitting the rich traditions of our friendships to our future generations,” he added.
Welcoming the visit of the Member of Central Committee of the Communist Party, he said, that Pakistan would also like to strengthen its interaction with the Communist Party of China as it would provide an opportunity to learn from each other experiences and best practices.
The Minister said that Pakistan is working with international community to curb the menace of terrorism and extremism.
“Terrorists have neither any ideology nor faith and they are enemies of mankind”, the minister added.
He said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is in full swing and producing positive results.
“We will continue to target terrorists until they are eliminated,” he emphasized.
Wang Sanyun, thanked the government of Pakistan for hospitality and praised the country for its splendid civilization as well as spiritual and cultural heritage.
He also commended the people of Pakistan as courageous, brave and resilient despite facing the challenges.
He briefed the Minister on socio-economic development in the Province of Gansu and said that his province maintained a growth rate of 8.9% even in the face of global slowdown.
He also apprised the Minister about the efforts made by his province to preserve and encourage culture.
He informed the minister that his province was a host to 10,700 heritage sites.
He further said that his province is planning to host International Cultural Exhibition in September next year and extended invitation to the Minister to participate in the event.
He also offered to provide space to Pakistan to exhibit their cultural heritage and products in the exhibition.
Wang Sanyun also gave various proposals to further cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Senator Pervaiz Rasheed thanked the delegation for invitation and assured that he would be looking forward to participate in the International Cultural Exhibition.
The Minister said that the government and Ministry will give serious consideration to the proposals to ensure that they are made practical as far as possible.
Sun Weidong, the Ambassador of China to Pakistan also accompanied the delegation.
Secretary Information Broadcasting and National Heritage Saba Mohsin Raza and Director General, External Publicity Wing, Ministry of IB & NH Shafqat Jalil were also present in the meeting.
Source: APP
