RAWALPINDI – Pakistan and China enjoy excellent trade relations, and the government and the people have great affection for the people of Pakistan.
China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said while inaugurating “China Week” organised by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Wednesday.
Speaking as chief guest, the ambassador said that China was Pakistan’s largest trading partner, similarly Pakistan was China’s second largest trading partner in South Asia. The volume of trade between the two countries has jumped to approximately 19 billion dollars.
The 46 billion dollar CPEC shows how much importance China is giving to Pakistan. He referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan last year, during which more than 52 projects were signed. The ambassador praised RCCI for organising China Week and offered cooperation in arranging such programmes in future also.
He stressed on the need for initiating joint ventures by the business communities of the two countries so as to further promote and expand bilateral trade. “In 2016, we were going to celebrate 65th anniversary of our diplomatic ties with Pakistan adding that lot of activities were going on in this regard,” he said.
He invited RCCI to join these events. He concluded his address, saying “Pak Cheen Dosti Zinda Bad” in Urdu. In his address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said that Pakistan and China shared a great history of brotherly and time tested relations.
He referred to CPEC project and said “this corridor will benefit all provinces, and transform our country into a regional business hub.” He urged the business community and private sector to come forward and play their role in making this project a success.
Different companies including Chinese have set up stalls at the exhibition, displaying cars, motorcycles, leather products, garments and other items to mark the event.
RCCI President Mian Humayun Parvez, Muhammad Aqil Obaid, Sheikh Shabbir, SM Naseem, former presidents, members of the executive committee and other industrialists, traders and businessmen were present on the occasion.
