— says China to build SCO Development Bank, launch six practical cooperation platforms
— Beijing to provide RMB 2 billion in gratis assistance to member-states within an year
ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Mr Jiang Zaidong on Tuesday said that China supports Pakistan in maintaining unity, focusing on development, and enhancing national strength and both countries would jointly build the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor 2.0 and upgrade the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.
Briefing a select media group on the recently held 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Chinese envoy said that the Tianjin Summit was the largest in SCO history, attended by more than 20 foreign leaders and the heads of 10 international organizations.
He said there were eight key outcomes of the Tianiin Summit, including the adoption of the SCO Development Strategy for the next decade; A powerful call to defend the outcomes of the victory in World War II; A clear statement in support of the multilateral trading system; Establishment of the “four security centers”: the Comprehensive Center for Countering Security Threats and Challenges and its Information-Security Center, the Center for Combating Transnational Organized Crime, and the SCO Anti-Drug Center.
He said that a political decision was made to establish an SCO Development Bank while the launch of six practical cooperation platforms (energy, green industry, digital economy, sci-tech innovation, higher education and vocational training) was also taken.
He stated that six high-quality development action plans (sustainable energy, green industry, digital economy, AI, sci-tech innovation, and high-quality trade-economic cooperation) were adopted alongside a new breakthrough in SCO reform, which included merging observers and dialogue partners into a single category of “SCO Partners” and admitting the Lao People’s Democratic Republic as a partner.
He said China’s announced measures included implementing 100 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects in member states; Provide RMB 2 billion in gratis assistance to member states within the year; Extend an additional RMB 10 billion in loans to members of the SCO
The Inter-bank Consortium will be established within the next three years.
Double the number of SCO scholarships from next year; Establish 10 Luban Workshops in member states over the next five years; Offer 10,000 training places for human-resource development; Launch new “ten-million-kW” solar and wind-power projects within five years; Invite all parties to use the ReiDou Navigation Satellite System; Encourage capable states to join the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).
He said that within five years, free treatment would be provided to 500 children with congenital heart disease, besides performing 5,000 cataract operations and conducting 10,000 cancer screenings.
The Ambassador said that the Tianjin Declaration of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestations and firmly rejected double standards in counter-terrorism. He said it expressed deep concern over the continuing escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and strongly condemned acts causing heavy civilian casualties and a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
Elaborating on the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed by President Xi Jinping, the Ambassador said that five principles were the linchpins of the GGI: upholding sovereign equality, respecting international law, practicing multilateralism, putting people first, and emphasizing action orientation.
He said that the Global Development Initiative focuses on promoting international development cooperation and also seeks to resolve international disputes through dialogue and consultation.
“The Global Civilization Initiative is dedicated to increasing exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. It sets the direction, principles and pathways for reforming global-governance institutions. The four initiatives are complementary and mutually reinforcing, injecting positive energy into a world of turbulence and transformation and giving stronger impetus to human development and progress,” the ambassador said.
Speaking about the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the envoy said that the event was held to remember history, honor the martyrs, cherish peace and open up the future.
He said the parade displayed the PLA’s resolve and strength to safeguard world peace as China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and a military strategy of active defense.
Speaking about President Xi Jinping’s meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the envoy said that China and Pakistan share a resilient bond, a brotherly bond, and also a bond built on trust and common values—an ironclad friendship that was forged through historical twists and turns and has grown ever stronger over time.
He said that China seeks to strengthen cooperation in industry, agriculture and mining to boost Pakistan’s homegrown capacity for development and Pakistan is asked to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions.
He stated that a strong China-Pakistan relationship is essential for regional peace and development, as well as for advancing the creation of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. This relationship aims to provide greater benefits to both peoples and serve as a model for establishing a community with a shared future among neighboring countries.
