ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing Tuesday called on Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Sartaj Aziz to discuss bilateral relations and mutual trade aspects. Chief economist Nadeem Javed also attended the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Sartaj Aziz said that both Pakistan and China had been enjoying remarkable relations since long but Chinese President Xi Jinping and former prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif had taken the relationship to new heights thanks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Sartaj maintained that despite economic crisis among Asian countries, China’s economic success served as a role model for rest of the countries in the region. “With the region’s economic success, the balance of power would shift from west to east and Asia will become engine of growth,” he said, adding that all political parties in Pakistan were united to help make the CPEC project a success. He said that hardware side of the CPEC project was being implemented but “we also need to focus on the software side that includes policies, agendas, and strategies”. “Our current focus is to build industrial parks.” Both the dignitaries discussed the trade aspects between the two countries and in the region. Yao Jing said that there was a great possibility of sugar export as Pakistan has surplus quantity.. Sartaj said that China could also promote Pakistani products, including meat, fish, fruits and vegetables for its domestic use, besides sugar. Published in Daily Times, January 17th 2018.