HBL has become the first Pakistani bank and one of three banks from South Asia & MENA Region to open branches in China, with permission to trade in local currency, RMB. This represents a 15-year-old dream that began when bank first opened a representative office in Beijing in 2005.

KKH as an idea may have deep roots in the shared history and geography of the region! But when the world’s highest paved road network, sometimes called the 8th wonder of the world, was first conceived between Pakistanis and Chinese in the early 1960’s little did they realize that one day it will become a symbol of the CPEC and BRI. KKH led to FWO, an organization that became the first embodiment of the Pakistan-China working relationship.

Pakistan's longest serving Ambassador to China traces the roots and looks at the key elements of this extraordinary bond of friendship and cooperation that has invited much envy. While affirming the multi-tiered relationship has taken a quantum leap in the form of CPEC, he explains why imperatives of regional peace and security and congruence of interests steer Pakistan-China relations.

The decision by the government to withdraw the RCET policy - which has played a vital role in the current year’s export growth, employment, and new investment - will take the sector back onto the historical snake and ladders game that is played in the country. Every time the sector is ready to take off – government changes policies and the sector lands on the proverbial snake and slides back several notches.

Like all successful and happy relationships, as Pakistan celebrates 70 years of relations with China, they still have much to share and cooperate with each other. CPEC has brought a dimension of its own, but in addition, there is much to explore and learn in the socio-economic, cultural and high-tech fields.

While Pakistan can adopt the Chinese poverty alleviation model, it needs to do so with modifications based on its governance system. The Communist Party of China was a significant factor in China’s economic prosperity due to its long-term, strategic policy-making, but can Pakistan’s diverse political structure embrace a similar challenge and rise to the occasion? Studying the Chinese model is particularly important given Prime Minister Imran Khan’s continual reference to what the Chinese have done and desire to learn from them.

In its relatively short history, Pakistan has had to face many challenges. However, its national airline has always acted as a hand in glove to advance its national interests in foreign lands. From becoming the first non-communist airline to fly into China to facilitating Henry Kissinger’s secret trip, PIA’s role in establishing the foundations for Pak-China ties has been paramount and should not be forgotten.

The confluence of a demographic dividend accruing from Pakistan’s large youth bulge and the development of CPEC projects offers Pakistan an opportunity to address the country’s pressing issues of unemployment, poverty, and low productivity provided it realizes the critical importance of vocational training.

The newly implemented phase II of China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA II) gives Pakistani businesses the opportunity to enter the Chinese market – the ball is in their court they need to do homework, study the market, conduct R&D, develop relevant marketing experience and strategize.

Over 70 years, Pakistan and China have maintained an ‘all-weather friendship’ based on goodwill, mutual understanding, trustworthiness, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. Defying all projections, the multi-faceted relationship has evolved into a deeper strategic partnership ushering Pakistan’s advancement in nuclear energy, aeronautics, defense, and maritime domains

The new Chinese brands that have entered the country have received an overwhelming response, due to their significantly lower prices for vehicles with generally the same or better features than those offered by the existing oligopolists in the auto market; Honda, Suzuki, and Toyota. What is even better for the country is that there is an increasing focus on electric vehicles by the new entrants.

GVS: Ambassador Nong Rong, this is your first assignment in Pakistan. Pakistan and China are now celebrating the 70th anniversary of their relations. How...