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| May 22, 2005 | Sunday | Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1426 |
‘China can play vital role in regional peace’
ISLAMABAD, May 21: Experts at a seminar stressed China’s intervention in establishing peace in South Asia as it exercises influence in the region. Prominent scholars and researchers from India, China, Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan spoke on “China and the emerging regional strategic balance” at the seminar, organized by the Foundation for Research on International Environment, National Development and Security (Friends) here on Friday.
The speakers said the US had failed to resolve the disputes in the region, rather it had doubled the anxieties by promoting arms race.
They said China could play a significant role in the peace process, leading to an agreement among the war-ready and war- ravaged countries.
Former foreign secretary Akram Zaki, in his paper, said a major objective of China’s foreign policy was to promote and maintain stability in its neighbour countries, adding that it opposed the use of force and advocated peaceful settlement of issues.
Former foreign minister Agha Shahi said: “the two pre- emptive US wars against Afghanistan and Iraq had brought swift regime changes in both the countries and the multipolarity at present seemed to be premature.” However, he said, the situation could change within the next decade.
M.J. Akbar from India said Pakistanis and Indians had no prejudice and hatred as the two had similar culture. He emphasized upon media to highlight their proximity.
Fei Yongyi from China, in his paper, said the growing economic and military power of China was for peaceful purposes and posed no threat to the region.
“Chinese leadership believes in friendly relations with all the states,” he added.
Gen (retired) Mirza Aslam Beg in his concluding remarks criticized the US, saying that its policies would no longer succeed in the region.
Elaborating US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, he said the super power had failed in both the countries, adding that neither it would achieve its objectives nor maintain law and order in both the states.
He said India’s role in ensuring peace in South Asia was as important as that of US and China. However, he regretted that the Indian leadership was being misused by global powers.
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