Latest news with #JiangZaidong
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, China discuss progress of CPEC projects, connectivity with Central Asia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has met China's Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong and discussed progress of ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and linking the corridor with Central Asian states for greater regional connectivity and economic stability, Pakistan's Press Information Department (PID) said on Sunday. Since 2013, Beijing has invested tens of billions of dollars in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC, a major segment of China's Belt and Road Initiative that aims to build land and maritime trade routes linking Asia with Africa and Europe. In May, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to the expansion of CPEC to Afghanistan after the recent trilateral meeting in Beijing, while Pakistani and Chinese leaders have invited Central Asian republics in recent years to join CPEC to enhance regional connectivity and economic cooperation. At the meeting in Islamabad, both Pakistani and Chinese officials discussed the progress of ongoing CPEC projects and preparations for the upcoming Pakistan-China Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, where key decisions are expected to be made. 'Connecting CPEC to Central Asian states will contribute to regional economic stability and economic cooperation,' Iqbal said as he reiterated his government's commitment to ensuring security of CPEC projects, according to PID. Despite massive Chinese investments, Pakistan has struggled to keep up its financial obligations regarding CPEC, while the undertaking has also been hit by militant attacks in recent years. Iqbal previously said the two sides will hold the JCC meeting at the end of July, at which they will approve roadmap for CPEC's Phase 2. The next phase would be based on five corridors, relating to growth, innovation, livelihoods, green energy, and open and inclusive development in the region, he told reporters at a briefing in Islamabad last month. Speaking at Sunday's meeting, he said the development of Gwadar port, which lies at the heart of CPEC in Pakistan's Balochistan, and Special Economic Zones was top priority of his government. 'The government is committed to fully capitalizing on the port's trade potential,' he said. During the meeting, Ambassador Jiang reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting Pakistan's development efforts, according to PID. 'He assured that bilateral cooperation will continue to expand in the coming years,' it said.
Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, China explore tech joint ventures in AI, smart cities
KARACHI: Pakistan and China are exploring new joint ventures in artificial intelligence, smart cities and digital innovation, Pakistan's IT ministry said on Friday, following a high-level meeting between Federal Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad. The meeting reaffirmed both countries' intent to deepen bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies and to build on their long-standing digital partnership through knowledge sharing, joint ventures, and technical capacity building. 'This dialogue opened avenues for joint ventures, knowledge transfer, and capacity-building in critical sectors of the digital economy,' the IT ministry said in a statement. 'Both sides emphasized the importance of leveraging technology for inclusive development and committed to advancing mutually beneficial initiatives that reinforce the digital cooperation between Pakistan and China.' Khawaja outlined Pakistan's strategy to harness digital tools for economic growth and improved public services, while Ambassador Jiang expressed Beijing's continued support for 'practical cooperation and expertise exchange' in key areas of innovation. The two sides discussed deepening collaboration across smart city initiatives, artificial intelligence applications and wider digital transformation goals. The ministry said the meeting marked a step forward in advancing Pakistan's vision for a tech-driven economy. The Pakistan government's 'Digital Pakistan' initiative is a comprehensive strategy focused on expanding broadband and 5G infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, youth engagement and innovation, developing e‑governance services for citizens and supporting investment in tech startups, IT zones, and export-driven IT firms.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
President hails China's role in socio-economic uplift
ISLAMABAD: The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, Thursday, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed matters of bilateral importance. During the meeting, President Zardari said that Pakistan attaches utmost importance to its relations with China and is keen to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He highlighted the vast potential for increasing collaboration in the areas of trade, economy, culture, and regional connectivity. The president emphasised the need to work together for the promotion of peace, security, and prosperity in the region. He said that China has always stood by Pakistan in times of need, and the people of Pakistan remain grateful to their iron-clad brother for its consistent support. President Zardari also appreciated China's role in Pakistan's socio-economic development and thanked the Chinese leadership and people for their continued support. On the occasion, the Chinese ambassador conveyed a special birthday message from President Xi Jinping, extending warm wishes to President Zardari on his upcoming birthday. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
One-China: envoy lauds Pak stance
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong has called for an end to what he described as "distortions" of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758, saying that the resolution firmly establishes the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legitimate representative of China, including Taiwan, at the United Nations. In a statement, Ambassador Jiang said certain actors, motivated by geopolitical self-interest, are "spreading the fallacy" that the 1971 resolution did not clarify Taiwan's legal status. "Such narratives are false fabrications aimed at undermining the legal foundation of the one-China principle," he said, adding that these actions constitute "flagrant interference in China's internal affairs" and pose a threat to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. UNGA Resolution 2758, adopted in October 1971 with overwhelming support — including from Pakistan and 22 co-sponsoring countries — recognised the PRC as "the only legitimate representative of China to the United Nations" and expelled the representatives of Taiwan's authorities from all UN-affiliated organizations. Ambassador Jiang emphasized that the resolution "settled once and for all" the question of China's representation at the UN and "embodies in clear logic and solid jurisprudence" the one-China principle. "Taiwan has always been part of China — this is a historical fact, an international consensus, and the key political premise for the UNGA's adoption of Resolution 2758," he said. Citing historical documents such as the Cairo Declaration (1943), Potsdam Proclamation (1945), and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, Jiang said these international agreements reaffirmed Taiwan's return to Chinese sovereignty after Japan's defeat in World War II. The ambassador further stated that after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, it replaced the Republic of China as the sole legal government of the entire Chinese territory, including Taiwan. He noted that attempts by the United States and others to promote a "dual representation" model at the UN were "resoundingly rejected" by the international community. "In fact, even the so-called 'representative' of the Taiwan authorities admitted at the time that 'other countries have always stressed the fact that Taiwan is part of China, which I could not agree more,'" Jiang said. The ambassador highlighted that 183 countries currently maintain diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle, and that UN bodiesincluding its Office of Legal Affairsconsistently refer to Taiwan as a "province of China." "The Taiwan authorities do not enjoy any form of government status," he said, citing UN guidelines on terminology.
Arab News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Islamabad invites Chinese enterprises to invest in Pakistan's agriculture sector
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday invited Chinese enterprises to invest in the country's agriculture sector, eyeing stronger collaboration with Beijing in irrigation technologies and modern farming techniques. Pakistan has recently undertaken efforts to promote its agriculture sector, which include establishing a new regulatory body this week to reform the sector and bring domestic food safety standards in line with international requirements. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Pakistan's economy, employing nearly 38 percent of the workforce and contributing around 19 percent to the country's GDP. However, the sector has long faced challenges, including outdated practices, poor regulatory oversight, low export competitiveness and barriers in meeting international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. Hussain met a high-level Chinese delegation including Jiang Zaidong, the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, on the sidelines of the China-Pakistan Economic and Trade Exchange Conference in Islamabad. 'The Minister also underlined the importance of public-private partnerships and urged Chinese enterprises, including those from XPCC [Xinjian Production and Construction Corps] and China Xinjian Group, to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan's agriculture and agri-business sectors,' the food security and research ministry said in a statement. Hussain welcomed proposals for joint ventures, research exchanges and the establishment of demonstration farms and technology centers in Pakistan, the statement added. The two sides discussed enhancing agricultural cooperation, particularly focusing on research, cotton production, seed development, irrigation efficiency and technological exchange. The Pakistani minister highlighted the challenges Islamabad has faced in recent years, especially in cotton production, where declining yields and outdated seed varieties have created major setbacks, the ministry said. 'The Minister expressed keen interest in learning from Xinjiang's remarkable progress in improving agricultural productivity, especially in regions with arid and semi-arid climates, which closely resemble many parts of Pakistan,' the statement said. Zaidong reaffirmed China's commitment to deepening agricultural cooperation with Pakistan, the food security ministry said. 'He appreciated Pakistan's proactive approach and openness to collaboration and highlighted the potential for long-term partnership in food security, technology transfer, and rural development,' the statement added. Pakistan has undertaken a reform drive to enhance its economic sectors via the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). The SIFC is a civil-military hybrid body formed in 2023 to fast-track foreign investment and economic reform in strategic sectors, including agriculture, mining, IT and defense production. Pakistan aims to attract international investment in its key economic sectors to ward off a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained its resources and embroiled the country in a balance of payments crisis.
