Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Wednesday cited effective leadership, stable policies, adaptability, and a peaceful foreign policy as key factors in China’s ascent to global prominence.
He, in his introductory remarks while chairing the “China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership,” celebrating 75 years of the founding of People’s Republic of China, highlighted China’s peaceful rise to global leadership without invasion, aggression, occupation, or colonization, attributing its success to peaceful leadership, stability, adaptability, and commitment to learning.The conference was hosted by Pak-China Institute.
He described Pakistan-China relations as unique as these are neither transactional nor tactical but rooted in deep strategic cooperation.
Reflecting on China’s recent history, Senator Mushahid Hussain summed up China’s 75 years in what he termed were ‘3 R’s: Revolution under Chairman Mao, Reform under Deng Xiaoping and now peaceful Rise under President Xi Jinping.
Referring to his interaction at an American think tank in Washington, DC, where Senator Mushahid Hussain was asked: ‘which side are you on, to which he retorted: ‘Pakistan is on the right side of history, and the course of contemporary history is determined by the Asian Century, where China is our reliable strategic partner’.
He also appreciated Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s role in raising voice for Dr Afia Siddiqui at highest levels of the Biden Administration and inviting Palestinian students from Gaza to study in Pakistan.
The conference was uniquely marked by international representation from South Asia, featuring Mahbub Alam, Leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party; Ahmed Thariq, Member of Parliament from the Maldives; and Achyut Prasad Mainali, Member of the Federal Parliament of Nepal.
Jiang Zaidong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan expressed heartfelt gratitude to Senator Ishaq Dar for his attendance, despite his 32-hour journey from Samoa, underscoring the significance attached to the event’. Ambassador Jiang celebrated the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), now joined by over 150 countries, as a testament to China’s commitment to shared prosperity.
He further emphasized the pivotal influence of President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, which has guided China’s progress and resilience in this new era.
Expressing appreciation for hosting China’s prime minister at the recent SCO summit, Ambassador Jiang advocated for deeper, more comprehensive cooperation among global south nations to foster equitable development and shared progress.
He outlined Chinese concerns for security of its personnel and projects in Pakistan, urging Pakistan’s government to take ‘effective remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such terror acts and ensure that perpetrators are identified, caught and punished’.
Dr. Ishrat Husain, Economist/Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan highlighted China’s extraordinary journey, achieving unprecedented progress through strategic shifts from a rural to an urban economy and transitioning from a command-driven to a market-oriented system.
He emphasized how China’s success challenges the Western democratic model, showcasing that political centralization within the Communist Party can coexist with economic decentralization, where over 70% of public expenditures are managed by local governments. Despite its 1.4 billion population, China integrated itself into the global economy, becoming the largest export destination and a key trading partner for over 120 countries.
Recognizing the positive impacts on Pakistan, Dr. Hussain refuted the misconception of CPEC as a debt trap, asserting that Pakistan has substantially benefited from China’s investments, while China’s approach of non-interference and responsiveness to other nations’ needs solidifies its global leadership.
