ISLAMABAD: Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Monday stressed the need for China and Pakistan to seize the historical opportunity presented to both the countries for development and betterment of their people. “We should work more diligently to fully reap the benefits of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and promote pragmatic cooperation in different fields. Furthermore, we must enhance all-round exchanges, so that China-Pakistan friendship can be more deeply rooted. I am convinced that we will surely upgrade China-Pakistan friendship to a new level and the goal of building China-Pakistan community of shared destiny will come true,” the ambassador told a farewell reception held at the Chinese embassy. “Great fortune never comes by accident. It is the result of our joint endeavours. Only through our concerted efforts, we can overcome the difficulties and turn our ideals into reality. Just as an old Chinese saying goes: when the two brothers are of one mind, they can cut through any metal,” he told a gathering comprising senior politicians, ministers, diplomats, high-ranked civilian and military officials and the civil society. “This month, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will be held in Beijing. Under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, the Chinese people will make tireless efforts to realise the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of great rejuvenation of the nation. China’s development presents great opportunities and driving forces to the development of the world. We welcome Pakistan and other countries to take ride of China’s development,” the ambassador said. Recalling his four-year stay in Pakistan, the ambassador said, “I think I’m very lucky. I am very fortunate to be the ambassador of China to Pakistan. China and Pakistan are Iron brothers. The relationship between our two countries is a model of state-to-state relations. It is my glorious mission to contribute to the friendship between China and Pakistan.” “I am very fortunate to work for the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic state visit to Pakistan in 2015. The leaders of the two countries agreed to uplift our bilateral relationship to an all-weather strategic partnership. It opened a new chapter of the great development of bilateral relations. The two countries have expanded our exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as politics, trade and business, culture, science and technology, education, security, defense and on international and regional affairs,” he said. “I am very fortunate to witness the birth and growth of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Under the joint guidance and support of our two leaders, CPEC has progressed smoothly in a short span of four years and entered the stage of early harvest. It is our pride to see CPEC become the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative. The economic and social benefits of CPEC will continue to increase, which will benefit the people of two countries and the region,” he added. “I am very fortunate to witness the remarkable development of Pakistan in the last four years. Its economic growth has accelerated. The problem of power shortage has been eased. At the same time, Pakistan has taken series of measures to effectively curb the spread of terrorism. The security situation in the country has been significantly improved. Confidence in the public are picking up towards the future,” he further said. Published in Daily Times, October 10th 2017.