72 years of struggle and glory

Tahir Farooq

C hina has achieved tremendous progress in the last 72 years， something every nation may desire. The Chinese nation has struggled collectively to reach the highest level of progress and prosperity. It did not turn a keen ear to what the others in the world were saying； it concentrated its full attention on the building up of the country. To achieve economic emancipation the entire nation was on one page and lined up behind the political leadership.

The Chinese people trust their leaders. Because of the policy of openness and the visionary leadership of China， today they have turned the country into a market for every country in the world. Investment-friendly and stable policies have attracted even US and European investors to invest in China. The story of Chinas economic emancipation has unfolded in just 43 years. It is a living example for developing nations that if a country decides， it can reach its destiny no matter how far away it seems.

Chinas economic might is a reality. Not accepting this reality is like living in fools paradise. China has made tremendous industrial progress and development of infrastructure， especially in the health sector. The economic framework is based on a firm foundation， and it is flourishing with the passage of time. The Chinese nation has fully acted upon the vision of the great revolutionary leader Deng Xiaoping， and this is the reason the past 43 years have brought the country to the peak of progress and prosperity， which other nations would not have attained in centuries.

As far as China-Pakistan relations are concerned， both countries have a long and unique background. China has remained a fast， true and sincere friend of Pakistan in all circumstances. The people of China and their government and leadership have not forgotten the bold act and stance that Pakistan took— despite being a member of the Central Treaty Organization， or CENTO —to not only make the Peoples Republic of China a member of the United Nations but also support its veto power on the UN Security Council.

Chinese people have always remembered and quoted Pakistans support during difficult times. Ironically， Pakistan could not benefit from the economic revolution or boom taking place in China， our next-door neighbor. Short-sighted political leadership is mainly responsible for todays Pakistan situation. It is also a fact that personal interest has been kept high over the national interests of Pakistan. So Pakistan， having all the resources， could not overcome its economic crisis and day-to-day problems.

State-of-the-art progress achieved by China should be an example for Pakistan and other countries， particularly Afghanistan， to eradicate poverty. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Belt and Road Initiative could be a golden opportunity for countries of the region， especially Afghanistan， to become economically stable and prosperous.

In the life of nations， challenges may be found that， if dealt with properly， can make them stronger and more integrated. The COVID-19 crisis has made the Chinese nation more discip- lined， integrated and united than ever before， and the country extended a helping hand to the world after it eradicated the coronavirus. During the crisis President Xi Jinping offered statesmanlike cooperation and assistance for all countries of the world. China extended a helping hand to Italy， Spain， Europe and other countries in a variety of ways.

The friendship between China and Pakistan is unique. Very rarely do nations enjoy such relations. Chinas economic and moral support for Pakistan has played a pivotal role in bringing them closer.

The prime minister of Pakistan rightly said that the road to Pakistans prosperity goes through China， and it is a fact that Pakistan can learn a lot from the Chinese experience. It is heartening that all political parties， despite different charters and agendas， are united when it comes to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor， the BRI and SinoPakistan relations.

Pakistanis can never forget that China announced CPEC—a project requiring huge investment—at time when Pakistan was passing through difficult times. The world was blaming Pakistan for every problem. It was China that stood like a rock and expressed confidence in Pakistan when most Muslim countries had turned their backs.

CPEC has entered its second phase. Enemies of Pakistan and China have ganged up to sabotage the project. In fact， these self-interested powers are not only against Pakistan but want to create lawlessness and instability throughout the region. It is high time for China and Pakistan to recon- sider their priorities and concentrate their attention on human protection， human development， good and efficient health care and environmental changes.

Chinas Belt and Road Initiative is a vision of peace， love and harmony for all nations. Xia vision is appreciated not only by Pakistan but also by other nations that seek prosperity. President Xis shared vision of prosperity has enhanced the image of China in the comity of nations. China has shown its strength by increasing its influence in the region and drawing back those countries whose only agenda is to create instability.

Chinas track record is evident： It has never occupied any state nor fostered riots or lawlessness anywhere in the world. Instead of waging wars， China has preferred to concentrate on the human development， progress and prosperity of the Chinese people. The BRI is a reflection of that policy， and it will bring durable peace and economic development to the world. Xi has made it clear that all the countries should jointly work for the betterment of humanity and a bright future.

Pakistans leaders and people should look at the tremendous and unprecedented progress of China as a case study and ponder how China made this progress in a very short time span. Pakistan is lucky to have a strong， time-tested friend as a good example to follow. It can overcome its problems by following in the footsteps of China.

（The author is editor-in-chief of the daily ITTEHAD in Pakistan.）