LAHORE: A significant event examining Pakistan’s foreign relations with China and the United States took place Saturday, drawing prominent figures including Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren, foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi, former National Security Advisor Gen Nasser Janjua, and Safdar Ali Khan. The gathering was organized by Sarzameen Forum chairman Safdar Khan.
Speakers at the forum underscored the importance of basing Pakistan’s foreign policy on national interest rather than emotional considerations, arguing that emotional decision-making has historically proven detrimental to the country’s interests.
Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren described the China-Pakistan relationship as rooted in shared ancient civilizations and strengthened through 74 years of diplomatic cooperation. He highlighted increased high-level engagement this year, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China and the signing of an action plan covering 63 areas of cooperation through 2029.
Reflecting on a decade of progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Zhao noted that the initiative has attracted USD25.93 billion in investment, created 261,000 jobs, constructed 510kms of expressways, and added over 8,000 megawatts of electricity capacity.
He announced that CPEC is entering a second phase focusing on Growth, Livelihood, Innovation, Green, and Open corridors, with emphasis on industrial, agricultural, and mining cooperation alongside emerging sectors such as Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and the digital economy.
Foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi addressed the complex histories shaping Pakistan’s relations with both the United States and China. He observed that while the United States supported Pakistan initially, subsequent sanctions including the 1965 arms embargo and the Pressler Amendment significantly influenced Pakistan’s strategic orientation.
Pakistan now sources approximately 81 percent of its defense needs from China, which imposes no political conditions on such cooperation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025