China-Pakistan relationship to remain unchanged: Media

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chinese media has stressed that the change in government in Pakistan, following the results of the recently held general elections, would not affect the bonding between the two friendly countries.

China's top official news portal, china.org.cn, known for its contents reflective of its government policies, has highlighted the portion of the victory speech of the Prime Minister in waiting, Imran Khan, in which he pledged to learn from China to combat corruption and promote economic development. 

In over four-minute English language video commentary, Wang Xiaohui, however, clarified that it’s difficult to judge the policies of Pakistan's new administration, just from the television broadcast. 

Tracing the background of Pakistan’s World Cup winning cricket captain, the Chinese analyst has considered Imran to have risen above the traditional politics in the country. Imran, who transformed into a brilliant cricketer during the tour of Australia in 1976-77, after having made his international debut in England in 1971, though had no political background.

Quitting cricket on a high, soon after bringing home the World Cup in 1992, he had entered politics in 1996 by founding his own party. He became a parliamentarian in 2002 and now he is all set to become the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. 

"In this respect, China as Pakistan's all weather friend for half a century can and should provide help and support within its capacity,” Wang asserted. 

“In the past a number of cooperative projects between Pakistan and China including the most important China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were initiated that had brought vast opportunities to uplift of Pakistani economy including provision of employment and industrial development,” the Chinese analyst reckoned. 

“There may be some differences between the two countries on individual projects of CPEC, however, these are entirely business like and can only be resolved through friendly consultations and equal consultations,” he added. 

“The CPEC involves the common interests of the two countries over the coming decades and will not be reoriented with the change of government. There is no reason to dub it. But in any case the iron friendship between China and Pakistan will remain unchanged", he concluded.