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    TRAVEL NOTES: EXPERIENCING THE NEW CHINA

    Written by: Mustafa Hyder Sayed
    Posted on: July 28, 2012 | | 中文

    In an effort to further people to people contact with its South Asian neighbors, the Chinese Peoples Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD) organized a 12-day seminar, called ‘Knowing China’. NGOs and think-tanks from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were invited to participate in this learning expedition, and I was fortunate enough to represent the Pakistan-China Institute in the Pakistani delegation.

    We arrived in Beijing on a cool October morning. A sprawling establishment of a rising super-power, the Beijing International Airport did not sport any other foreigners at that early hour. Before we could recollect ourselves amidst the Chinese galore, we were whisked away into a van by a cheerful representative of the CPAPD, who spoke broken English. On our way to the hotel, we witnessed Beijing rise, and the work ethic of the Chinese was manifest from their work day starting as early as 7.30 am.

    Beijing, Wuhan and Guangzhou, the three cities that we visited, were in stark contrast to each other. However, the trickling down of prosperity was conspicuous, even in Wuhan, considered to be a lesser developed province. The emphasis on welfare and economic development in the rural areas was executed by local units of the provincial government. The de-centralized approach seemed to work well, as reasonably content farmers and small business owners were seen getting assistance at these local government offices. Pregnant women, sick children and octogenarians were being attended to in the welfare units that seemed newly established from grants by the federal government in Beijing.

    Upon our arrival in Wuhan on a bright and sunny morning, while passing the East Lake, the biggest inner city lake of China, I proposed that we inaugurate our trip to Wuhan by taking a boat ride on the East Lake. The rest of the delegation was easily persuaded. As my boat ventured into the calm horizon of the East Lake, I noticed the old lady with the weathered face who was punting my boat. Using Ms. Pu of the CPAPD as the interpreter, I struck a conversation with our boat’s host. Residing on the banks of the East Lake, her family had been in this business for over a decade. The East Lake was their sanctuary. However, the local government had given a fishing license to a large international company that had motorboats and, generally, a bigger resource pool. Since boat rides was not a consistent source of income, fishing provided the major chunk of revenue to these families. However, it seemed that their source of livelihood was going to be usurped in the near future. As she ended her story, I was told that this is just one family amongst thousands of families that are facing such challenges. As the country treads into the realm of free market economy, large corporations are seeping into the economic giant, making such families like that of the old lady the casualties of the new economy.

    The Peasant Revolutionary Training Institutes established by Chairman Mao were a key instrument of the revolution. Present almost everywhere we went, these institutes imparted military training and Mao’s revolutionary ideology, the key ingredients which brought success. When Mao was at the helm of affairs, he would tour the country lecturing in these institutes, inspiring the new recruits and fueling their fervor.

    In Wuhan, we visited the Dongfeng Motor Corporation, which is amongst the top Chinese automotive manufacturers. Currently, Dongfeng is exporting to Africa and the Middle East, and is in the process of gaining market access to South Asia. The motor giant’s production ranges from military jeeps to regular sedans, combining cutting edge technology with affordable prices. They have had joint-ventures with Honda and other major international automotive manufacturers, catering to the growing market of China and beyond.

    The fine balance that China has struck, between steady modernization and preservation of tradition, has helped its rise in the international arena.

    Amongst the numerous academic institutions that we were shown, the South China Agricultural University was the most remarkable. Hosting 40,000 students from all over China, the university had international students from 22 different countries, including Pakistan. The institution was designed to educate farmers for engaging in modern farming by applying various rice breeding techniques and optimum use of pesticide control, amongst other things. Considering that 674 million Chinese reside in rural areas, such institutions play a key role in transforming the new generations of farmers into modern entrepreneurs with the upgraded farming techniques and education.

    It was difficult to miss the sense of purpose that was written all over the wall in China. From our local hosts to the provincial governments to the academics we were introduced to, there was a desire to reach out to the world and benefit from collaboration and show their guests that they had arrived. After all, they had managed to take 500 million people out of the shackles of poverty in one generation.

    The message that the government and community leaders echoed was that China was interested in engaging the region and expanding partnerships with the nations that neighbored it, aspired to a peaceful rise, and wished to see the rest also riding the wave of success that it had steered. Soft power was the name of the game, and it was working indeed.
     


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021