Magazine celebrates Pak-China ties

A special edition of PIVOT magazine will be published in October to celebrate the ties between China and Pakistan on the eve of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) organised the launch of the special edition of PIVOT magazine in the capital last week.

Foreign Affairs Special Secretary Moazzam Ahmad Khan was invited as the chief guest, and the event was also attended by Ambassador of China Yao Jing.

ISSI Director General Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that China’s achievements were lessons for all nations to emulate. He said that the broad-based strategic relationship with China was a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Ambassador Yao said: “China has a trust-based historic relationship with Pakistan. China values its relationship with Pakistan and sees it as a model inter-state relationship.”

“Pakistan takes pride in its relationship with China,” Mr Khan said. He added that during difficult times, China provided steadfast support and this could be seen again in the recent Kashmir crisis.

ISSI Chairman Khalid Mahmood said that with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor the relationship between both countries has reached new heights.

In his introductory remarks, CPSC Director Dr Talar Shabbir said that as China celebrates 70 years of its founding, the Pakistan-China relationship has deepened and grown stronger, moving from a strategic relationship to a deep economic partnership and people-to-people exchanges.

Argentinian embassy hosts event

The Argentinian embassy organised an event to promote bilateral trade opportunities and enhance business relationships with Pakistan, particularly in the fields of agriculture and tourism.

Senior government officials and members of the local business community participated in the event held by the embassy to share Argentina’s experience with agriculture, livestock and tourism.

Officers from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, members of the Poultry Association, representatives from the pharmaceutical sector, pulses and soya importers and Argentinean polo players took part in the event.

During 2018, bilateral trade between both countries stood at $140 million. Argentina exported to Pakistan $90 million dollars mainly in agro-industrial products such as soya bean oil, soya meal, chickpeas, sorghum grain, pharmaceuticals products and polo horses.

Argentina imported close to $50 million in textiles, cotton, sports accessories and medical equipment.

Charge d’Affaires Facundo Meli stated that both countries have immense potential to increase trade exchange and tourism, as well as to cooperate in the use of agriculture and livestock technology.

“Argentina can go for joint ventures in agriculture, pharmaceutics, alternative energy (hydropower) and vehicles production,” he said.

In his presentation, Head of the Consular and Commercial Section Alejandro Anibal Garcia underlined the efforts that have been made in the past year including the Argentine Embassy Polo Cup held in the capital.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2019