Editor's Note: Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has worked with all other countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind, which has boosted confidence and added impetus for development of Asia and the world. For the celebration of the 100th funding anniversary of the CPC, we are launching the “CPC in eyes of foreign military students” series, viewing China and CPC from the perspective of foreign soldiers.
By Pakistani Army Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Zakriya
Nowadays, China has become "the world's second-largest economy", "the largest trading nation in goods", and "the largest foreign exchange reserve holder"... In 2018, I came to China to attend a training program at the PLA Army Logistics University. During this period, I realized more than ever before that China's impressive achievements in economic and social development are by no means accidental, led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese people have found a bright development path leading to China's economic prosperity and national vitalization.
I once visited the Pearl River Delta region during my stay in China. Our tour guide introduced the song "The Story of Spring" to us and explained the "Spring" refers to the vitality brought to China by reform and opening up. We gradually realized that it was the CPC's determination to carry out reform and opening up that enabled the Chinese economy to take off. Shenzhen, a city at the forefront of reform and opening up, carried forward the spirit of "taking bold steps in pilot programs, working unswervingly with hard efforts" and opened up a road to prosperity and development.
With its unique geographical location, Shanghai has also achieved outstanding results in opening up to the outside world. During a trip to Shanghai in 2019, my friend and I learned that the Pudong New Area in Shanghai is a free trade zone with the highest international standards. Shanghai has basically built itself to be an international economic, financial, trade, shipping center, and will grow up to be a science and technology innovation canter with global influence.
China’s experience in reform and opening up and promoting economic and social development can be used for reference to other countries in the world. As a landmark project in the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative, the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor started in 2013. The two countries have clarified the "1+4" cooperation layout, which takes the development of the corridor as its pillar and focuses on the cooperation in the Gwadar Port, energy, transportation infrastructure and industrial development. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. The two countries have formed an all-weather partnership of strategic cooperation, and the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has achieved fruitful results. The concept of forging a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era has won popular support in the two countries, and the multi-faceted friendly cooperation between the two countries will better benefit the two peoples.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. I believe that this far-sighted political party will surely lead China to a brighter future.
(This article is based on an interview by the PLA Daily with Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Zakriya assigned to Pakistani Armed Forces, who had once studied at China's PLA Army Logistics University.)
