The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), will take place in late 2022. This politburo meeting is held after every five years and according to analysts, it will be one of the most consequential party gatherings in decades. It will decide on China’s future path and most likely re-enforce trust in President Xi`s leadership, and his vision to guide China into the middle of the twenty first century, by establishing key priorities for the next five years.
To emphasize the upcoming CPC meetings importance, the Pakistan-China Institute held a special event on 29th August, 2022 under the platform Friends of Silk road Initiative. Speakers at the dialogue included speeches by Chief Guest Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E.Nong Rong, Senator and Federal Minister Syed Mushahid Hussain and other leading Pakistani politicians and MPs.
In her opening remark, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar stated that China “brings all of Pakistan together” and is the nation that unites Pakistan. China has never had a government attempt to undermine its status as the mainstay of Pakistani foreign policy. In reply, Ambassador Nong Rong termed Pakistan-China relations as ‘rock-solid’.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed thanked the Chinese government for sending cash and donating 25,000 tents to flood victims in Pakistan. He asserted that President Xi Jinping’s message is one of people-centric growth and human security.
Later on, one of the speakers, Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, highlighted the benefits that CPEC has brought to Pakistan. She informed the participants that as of June 2022, 27 CPEC projects totaling approximately $19 billion had been completed and an additional 27 CPEC projects totaling $7.7 billion are now in the building stage. According to her, CPEC projects have given Pakistanis access to over 80,000 jobs and 28,000 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in Chinese universities.
For Pakistan and its politicians, the upcoming National CPC congress meeting is of great importance. It will be looking for continuation of commitment by China in completing CPEC projects in the country, initiated by President Xi and a broader part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These projects are of vital importance to Pakistan for its economic survival and Pakistani leadership will do everything within its powers to accommodate the Chinese, who have been a trusted and dependable ally over the years.
