Islamabad/Zhejiang, (Parliament Times) : Distinguished speakers from Pakistan and China highlighted the importance of Belt and Road Initiative where Zhejiang is playing a constructive role through its various important substantial trade and development projects. Speakers said that CPEC is the crown of BRI building lasting partnerships between Pakistan and the world through the Belt and Road network of trade and business. These were the remarks of the speakers during the webinar hosted by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and In Zhejiang, a media and publishing company from Zhejiang on “Regional Integration and Mutual Prosperity: Zhejiang and BRI”. The distinguished speakers were Ms. Farhat Asif, Founder President, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Ms. Ke Ye, Executive Editor of In Zhejiang, Wang Chao, General Secretary of Zhejiang Private Economy Research Centre, Prof. Dr Zahid Anwar, Director of China Study
Centre at University of Peshawar, Pakistan, Prof. Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla, and Zhu Xihu, postdoctoral researcher from the China Academy of West Region Development of Zhejiang University. Founder and President of Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Farhat Asif co-hosted the webinar with Ms. Ke Ye, Executive Editor of In Zhejiang. After introducing the organisations highlighted the significance of this Webinar and dialogue series. Both have shared about the announcement of the joint establishment of “Friends of BRI Forum” to build prosperity together. Ms. Zhu Xihu Postdoctoral Researcher of China Academy of West Region Development at Zhejiang University, pointed towards the role of “Zhejiang in promoting the BRI and global cooperation.” She highlighted that Zhejiang has taken lead in connecting the overseas Zhejiang businessman and that Zhejiang’s international investment was 18.64 Billion USD (2018), and 13.56 Billion USD (2019).” Prof. Dr. Zahid Anwar, Director of China Study Centre at University of Peshawar, highlighted Pakistan-China relations and how the BRI is connecting the world where CPEC is playing its important role as one of the most active corridors in the region. The success
of BRI is incorporated in the fact that it’s the win-win model for countries along with BRI and Pakistan is its grand example. Wang Chao, General Secretary of Zhejiang Private Economy Research Centre highlighted the turn of commodity trade to global e-commerce and how new economic businesses are turning online and offline. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Chawla, Professor at University of Punjab, Pakistan stated that China has thought of connecting the entire world through BRI and CPEC in Pakistan. He also stated that CPEC has helped in developing Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy sector. Speakers were of the view that China and Pakistan as having all weather friends can create lasting peace for the region through CPEC and BRI.
