China lauded for launching far-reaching and consequential GDI

Gwadar Pto

Islamabad: China Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), organized a seminar here on on China’s “Global Development Initiative” aimed at development cooperation for achieving sustainable development goals.

The chief guest at the seminar was Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairperson Senate Defense Committee. Former Ambassador to China Masood Khalid was the keynote speaker.

While delivering his address, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed lauded China for the launch of the far-reaching and consequential Global Development Initiative (GDI).

He stated that the world was currently experiencing both transformation and turmoil. Different leaders were describing this decade in different ways. President Macron had accurately stated that this decade marked the end of 300 years of Western dominance. The current era was witnessing the rise of China and the ‘Asian Century.’ Despite global conflicts, climate change, poverty, and energy-related challenges, China had shown impressive leadership. China’s global strategy included the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, which shared many similarities. This initiative reflected that Chinese values were all about cooperation, peace and respect. He noted that Chinese strategic culture without a second thought was an embodiment of cooperation, peace and respect for all. He concluded by saying that Pakistan and China shared a long-standing, all-weather and time-tested strategic relationship. Therefore, both should work together to build an Asian century of progress, prosperity and cooperation.

In his welcome remarks, Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood said that GDI was a critical initiative launched by China at a time when the world was deeply affected by health and economic effects of Covid-19 pandemic and the deficit in the achievement of SDGs was growing. President Xi Jinping presented the GDI at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly in September 2021 to pool efforts to tackle the challenges of the world and to facilitate the post-pandemic recovery.

He noted that Pakistan was one of the first countries to lend its strong support for the GDI. Pakistan was also among the first countries to become a member of the GDI’s ‘Group of Friends’ at the United Nations. A lot of progress had since been achieved from that platform. He underscored that at a time of global food, fuel and financial crises, initiatives like GDI were essential for the developing world. He also highlighted the contribution of BRI’s flagship project, CPEC, to Pakistan’s continued progress and prosperity. He concluded by expressing the hope that GDI would be perceived in its right perspective by all and it would help advance the noble cause of achievement of SDGs by 2030.

Earlier, in his introductory remarks, Dr. Talat Shabbir stated that GDI aimed to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 agenda by focusing on people-oriented development. It sought to promote stronger, greener, and healthier global development by revitalizing global development partnerships.

Other Speakers included: Charge d’ Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Pang Chunxue; Assistant Professor and Director of China Study Centre, COMSATS University, Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan; Assistant Professor, International Relations Faculty of Contemporary Sciences, National Defence University, Islamabad, Dr. Sumeera Imran; and Deputy Director of Institute of South Asian Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Dr. Wang Shida. The seminar was moderated by Director CPSC, Dr. Talat Shabbir.