Islamabad - Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong Wednesday said trade volume between Pakistan and China was registered at $12.8 billion during the last 10 months, showing 10 per cent increase than the corresponding period of last year.
Addressing students and faculty members during his visit to the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), he said that Pak-China relations were an example for the other countries. “Our friendship is stronger than iron friendship and it’s based on mutual respect and trust.” The ambassador said that Chinese companies were only investing in Pakistan’s energy sector and not considered that as a loan. Currently China was investing in hydropower, coal power, and wind power projects to overcome the energy problem. On Pak-China people-to-people relations, he cited one incident, which happened in 2008 Beijing Olympics that Pakistan team was the only team which got a standing ovation by Chinese people and considered them there only true friends.
He said China was currently the largest on-line retail market as E-commerce activity exceeded to $1.6 billion. “In the recent years China promotes innovation in the products and emphasize on its quality,” he added. He said China was still the largest developing country as its two million people were living below poverty line. Referring to the Peshawar school tragedy, the ambassador said China was deeply shocked and saddened on it and continued to render firm support to the government and people of Pakistan in fight against terrorism and unremitting efforts in maintaining national stability and people safety.
The ambassador praised NUST staff for making the university as one of the best in Pakistan and in Asia also. Earlier, the ambassador held a meeting with Rector NUST Engineer Muhammad Asghar. He was given a briefing on NUST and its achievements in the higher education sector.