Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said on Tuesday that Belt and Road Initiative with a worldwide appeal and membership has brought a paradigm shift to the concept of development, connectivity and regional integration. In these testing times, Chinese President Xi’s landmark initiatives of Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative offer us a wholesome and practical solution for international peace and security. The Chairman Senate made these remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of International Symposium to commemorate the 10th anniversary of China’s principles of Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit and Inclusiveness in Neighbourhood Diplomacy. Director of the Office of the Central Commission of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi read the written speech by President Xi and also delivered a speech. Sadiq Sanjrani said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become a model and exemplary project of BRI having transformed the economic landscape of Pakistan. As an open and inclusive platform, CPEC is now inviting participation from third countries. The Global Development Initiative has placed development at the core of China’s exchanges with the world, accelerating the UN 2030 SDGs Agenda. Pakistan is the first partner country of China under GDI. “Together, as good neighbours and best friends, we are charting a course of action for socio-economic development and uplift,” he added.? He said that similarly, Global Security and Global Civilization Initiatives are setting a new course by presenting over-arching concepts contributing positively to the global security and civilizational landscapes. These initiatives are also assuming an increasingly central role in our neighbourhood diplomacy and concepts. Terming Pakistan-China relationship as a practical demonstration of the vision of our founding father, he said it is an all-weather partnership deeply rooted in mutual trust and respect. It is time-tested and timeless, and nurtured over the years by successive generations of our governments and our people. The chairman said that the unfolding crisis in Gaza has shaken the very soul of humanity, adding, Israeli aggression on Gaza continues unabated with complete blockade and no supply of essential food and medicines. He thanked the Chinese foreign minister for supporting the just cause of Palestinians and said that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East issue and its roots cause is the long delay in realizing an independent state of Palestine and the failure to readdress the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people. “The international community must raise its voice and the UN must play its role for cessation of hostilities, creation of a humanitarian corridor and resumption of an inclusive and transparent peace process to secure the realization of the two states solution,” he added. Highlighting Kashmir issue, he said that millions of Kashmiris in the illegally occupied territories of Jammu and Kashmir are still awaiting fulfillment of their right to self-determination enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions. He said that each of the four sub-themes of the symposium – fostering amity with neighbours, sincere interaction, mutual benefits, and the spirit of openness and inclusion – form the very pillars of this symposium remind that in diplomacy, our greatest strength is understanding one another, coming together and moving forward as partners in progress. Sadiq Sanjrani said that the countries and regions forming the Asian continent have greatly contributed to global peace and prosperity, economic development and civilizational linkages. The Asia countries are blessed with immense natural resources and human talent, he said and added, “We do have our share of problems and challenges, and to overcome them, we need to find solutions from within us. We must have a regional approach to regional issues.” The prime ministers of Mongolia, Nepal, deputy prime minister of Cambodia, former prime ministers of Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan and the secretary of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) also addressed the opening ceremony. Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque, senior Chinese and foreign diplomats and officials were present.