China will never try to become Pakistan's 'teacher': envoy

The Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing on Thursday categorically said that unlike the US "China will always be a partner of Pakistan, but will never try to become its teacher".

Speaking at a special webinar under the framework of 'Friends of Silk Road' to celebrate 69 Years of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and China, organized by Pakistan China Institute in cooperation with LUMS Centre for Chinese Legal Studies, while referring to what he called "disinformation and baseless allegations" levelled by US Ambassador Alice Wells, who is retiring as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, he said: "China will always consider Pakistan its partner and will never think of becoming its teacher".

He said that the American attitude towards China, the CPEC and Pakistan-China relations was a combination of 'arrogance, distortion and desire for hegemony'.

Pakistan Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi cited China and Pakistan supporting each other during crises especially Covid-19, and she quoted President Xi Jinping as telling President Alvi during their meeting in Beijing on March 17 that Pakistan and China have a 'unique, all weather, strategic, cooperative partnership'.

She said that the future of Sino-Pak relations is beyond Covid-19 as our relations are brighter, stronger and more enduring.

Chinese former minister and member of parliament, Dr Zhao Baige said: "We are all learning about Covid-19 and we are also learning from each other", and the future of Pakistan-China relation is bright because future belongs to the Youth of both Pakistan and China, who are stake holders in this relationship'.

Senator Mushahid Hussain talked of the role of parliament and political parties in Pakistan being staunch advocates of Pakistan-China friendship, and he cited the February 12 and May 14 resolutions unanimously passed by the Senate of Pakistan expressing solidarity with China, lauding the leadership of President Xi Jinping and rejecting the baseless propaganda against China.

He said that during the April 3 webinar hosted by PCI, eight political parties of Pakistan, both government and opposition, showed unity in their vision to promote, protect and preserve CPEC since they see this as a guarantor for a better tomorrow for the 220 million people of Pakistan.

The senator also lauded China for having an inclusive and cooperative approach in tackling coronavirus at home and also seeking cooperation with other countries to collectively meet this common threat.