Ten Years of CPEC: Radio Interview of Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram at FM ‘101’ (Radio Pakistan)

On November 21, 2023, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director PRCCSF was invited to the Program ‘‘Dialogue with Experts’’ hosted by Advocate Zaildar Ahsan Shah at FM ‘‘101’’ Radio Pakistan.
Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram is the Executive Director of Pakistan Research Centre for a Community with Shared Future (PRCCSF). PRCCSF was established under the umbrella of Belt and Road Initiative which was the Part of President Xi Jinping’s Vision. Mr. Ovais Ali Khokhar is the Vice Chairman of PRCCSF, Professor Dr. Mahboob is the senior Vice Chairman while Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah is the Chairman. Mr. Raja Muqsit is the Secretary General and Legal Advisor of PRCCSF.
Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah graciously extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and then requested Mr. Khalid Taimur to elucidate the objectives of PRCCSF. Mr. Khalid Taimur expounded that the PRCCSF concept is linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with Share Future centers established in each partner country of the BRI. These Share Future community centers aim to advance the principles of the BRI within their respective nations and raise awareness about its significance. PRCCSF primary focus is on promoting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and fostering understanding of Pak-China relations on a global scale. Additionally, the initiative serves to facilitate collaboration among all BRI nations for enhanced regional development.
Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah questioned about the Academic network and its contribution to global development. Mr. Khalid Taimur explained that the Communication University of China (CUC), established in 2022, aims to expand the academic network globally. With more than 155 countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, CUC plays a crucial role by offering academic opportunities, including scholarships and student exchange programs, to students from BRI partner nations. Moreover, experts from various regions, including Africa and Asia, contribute their insights to enhance academic cooperation among nations, fostering the concept of a shared community for the future. Mr. Khalid expressed his pride in being the sole CUC Director representative from Pakistan within this network.
In response to Mr. Ahsan Shah's query about the concept of Shared Future and its functioning, Mr. Khalid explained that Shared Future entails living and collaborating for a better future. This concept emerged under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where numerous countries are interconnected to meet each other's demands through trade. Shared Future is a collaborative concept aimed at fostering improved relations among partner nations, thereby reducing the likelihood of conflicts and facilitating smooth trade. President Xi Jinping introduced the idea of Shared Future, presenting concepts such as the Global Development initiative, Global Security initiative, and Global Civilization initiative. Working together under these initiatives is envisioned to lead to a prosperous future, mitigate crises, and prove advantageous for trade, cultural exchange, and student programs.
Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah questioned about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and Mr. Khalid Taimur explained that CPEC serves as a trade and economic route for mutual development, catering to the needs of landlocked regions in Central Asia and Asia. While other corridors connect few countries, the CPEC project connects various regions from Asia to Europe. Despite the perception that CPEC is merely a road, Mr. Khalid clarified that it is a comprehensive economic and trade route, featuring numerous Special Economic Zones designed to boost regional development. He acknowledged that criticism often arises due to misinformation and propaganda on social media.
When asked about the current progress of CPEC and concerns about its slow pace, Mr. Khalid advised against evaluating CPEC's progress in isolation. Instead, he urged a comparison with other global corridors, asserting that such a comparison would reveal there is nothing to criticize. Mr. Khalid pointed out that, like many development projects worldwide, CPEC was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite challenges, he emphasized that the pace of CPEC remains unaffected by changes of governments in Pakistan.
Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah asked to explain about the friendship between Pakistan and China, and Mr. Khalid provided historical context. He stated that the camaraderie between the two nations dates back to China's independence in 1949, marked by Pakistan's recognition of China as an independent state. Additionally, Pakistan played a crucial role in supporting China's membership in the United Nations and was instrumental in establishing diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Mr. Khalid emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party views Pakistan as a brotherly nation, and policies from both sides have consistently prioritized this enduring friendship, irrespective of the governing political party. He highlighted the global recognition of the depth of the Pak-China friendship with the often-used phrase, "Deeper than Sea and Higher than Himalayas."
Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah questioned about the infrastructure development in Pakistan through CPEC and asked for details on completed or ongoing projects. Providing specifics on major CPEC infrastructure projects, Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram mentioned a comprehensive list, and he proceeded to elaborate on a few key development initiatives. These include the Gwadar Port, New Gwadar International Airport, East Bay Expressway, Matiari-Lahore HVDC Transmission Project, Sahiwal 1320MW Coal Power Plant, Port Qasim 2*660MW Coal Power Plant, Suki Kinari Hydro Power Station, Karot Hydro Power Project, Karakoram Highway Upgradation Project, KKH Phase-II (Havelian-Thakot) Project, Lahore Rail Transit Orange Line Project, CSEC PKM Project (Sukkur-Multan), MCC Resources Development Company (Pvt.) Limited, The Duddar Lead Zinc Mine Project, Huawei High-Speed Pak-China Information Highway Optical Fibre Project, Huawei Safe City Project, and The Smart Classrooms Project.
Summarizing the overall progress and development facilitated by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Mr. Zaildar Ahsan questioned about its benefits for Pakistan. Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram explained that BRI plays a crucial role in enhancing road connectivity within Pakistan and extending it to other regions.
Special economic zones are strategically established along these routes, promoting smooth production and trade of goods and services. The creation of these economic zones encourages investors to contribute foreign investment, thereby bolstering Pakistan's economic situation. While acknowledging existing challenges in the energy sector, Mr. Khalid expressed optimism that the completion of CPEC's energy projects would address these issues. Furthermore, he highlighted the dual nature of BRI, with the first phase focusing on industrial development, which is nearing completion. The subsequent phase will concentrate on the development of the services sector, promising advancements in tourism, health, and the hotel industry. This, in turn, is expected to attract foreign tourists and contribute significantly to the overall improvement of Pakistan's economy.
When Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah questioned about China's emergence as a new economic power and its potential to become a future WorldPower, Mr. Khalid Taimur referred to President Xi Jinping's words to Joe Biden, stating that ‘‘China aims not to surpass America, and America should not try to suppress China’’. Mr. Khalid emphasized China's remarkable progress over the past two decades, noting its diverse production capabilities from needles to airplanes. He highlighted the global prevalence of products made in China, showcasing the nation's exemplary development. Drawing a comparison with the United States, Mr. Khalid observed that while the U.S. is a superpower, it focuses on producing ammunition for sale. In contrast, the U.S. dollar is a widely traded currency worldwide, contributing to its economic development. However, Mr. Khalid noted that China does not follow a similar approach. Even China's investments in the U.S. are in dollars rather than its own currency, the Renminbi, demonstrating a unique aspect of China's economic strategy. Addressing accusations against China, Mr. Khalid refuted claims of human rights violations and debt traps. He highlighted China's significant contribution to global health, being the first to develop a COVID-19 vaccine and supplying millions of doses to countries worldwide for free. Mr. Khalid expressed confidence that China would emerge as the largest economic power in the near future.
Regarding the concept of China becoming a worldpower, Mr. Khalid emphasized the need for a proper definition of "world power." He pointed out that China's investments span from small nations to major economic powers, aiding in infrastructure development and economic progress. With China engaging in trade worth a trillion dollars with various countries, and it will be doubled in near future, Mr. Khalid underscored the creation of a win-win situation for all parties involved with China.
In response to Mr. Zaildar Ahsan's inquiry about severalnations expressing a preference for trading in Chinese currency, Mr. Khalid offered his perspective. He mentioned that China's objective is to maintain global economic order without disruption. If any country chooses to engage in bilateral trade using the Chinese currency, Mr. Khalid asserted that it is within their rights to do so. He emphasized the importance of trade itself, noting that the choice of currency for trade transactions should not be a determining factor. In response to Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah's question about what Pakistan can learn from China and its policies for economic progress and development, Mr. Khalid shared his perspective. He highlighted several areas where Pakistan could gain insights for a better future. Mr. Khalid emphasized the robust governance system in China, where individuals from all walks of life, from ordinary citizens to the wealthy, have the opportunity to contest presidential elections and ascend to the presidency. Using the example of President Xi Jinping, Mr. Khalid underscored the importance of a structured and transparent process for leadership succession. He further explained that the Chinese President seeks input from the party in decision-making processes, fostering a concept of shared future where everyone can actively participate, leading to a mutually beneficial outcome.
Mr. Ahsan questioned from Mr. Khalid about commonalities observed between Pakistan and China. Mr. Khalid responded, noting that the two countries share common cultural and traditional aspects. He provided examples, highlighting the widespread preference for 'Tea' among citizens in both nations and the shared tradition of consuming rice as a staple in meals. Mr. Khalid also pointed out similarities in marriage customs, rural lifestyles, and the prevalence of joint family systems in both Pakistan and China. Drawing on his recent visit to Yangzhou in China, he remarked on the presence of traces from the Gandhara civilization from Taxila, emphasizing the need for further exploration to better understand these shared traditions.
Mr. Ahsan asked Mr. Khalid Taimur, if he had any words for the people, particularly the youth. Mr. Khalid urged individuals not to heed negative propaganda about Pakistan-China relations on social media, emphasizing that negativity doesn't lead to success. He encouraged the youth to adopt a positive mindset and concentrate on the development of Pakistan.
In conclusion, Mr. Zaildar Ahsan Shah expressed gratitude to the esteemed guest for delivering a comprehensive overview of CPEC and its advancements in the country, which undoubtedly enriches our understanding.