by Raheela Nazir
ISLAMABAD, May 9 (Xinhua) -- As the world faces turbulence, China's modernization strategy has offered substantial opportunities for humanity, promoting global cooperation and sustainable growth, while fostering a community with a shared future for mankind, said Pakistani experts at a recent seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank.
Speaking at the occasion, Shamshad Akhtar, former federal finance minister and governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, said that China's visionary leadership has always advocated for regional sustainability, growth and development.
China has achieved remarkable growth by positive interactions with other countries, especially developing countries, and launched several important economic initiatives, including the Global Development Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to promote peace and prosperity, she said.
"BRI is a trans-continental initiative, aiming to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation. BRI targets development not only for China, but for the whole world, and it has bridged the gap between rich and poor countries," Akhtar said.
She added that BRI promoted air, maritime and land security by cooperating in valuable projects, advocating for accessible and affordable infrastructure projects.
Haroon Sharif, former minister of state and chairman of Pakistan's Board of Investment, said that at times of disruption and polarization, China's people-centric development models offer a breath of fresh air to the world.
"The Global Development Initiative is not just about infrastructure, it's about building harmony, preventing pandemics, and empowering youth with technology," he said, adding that contrary to the Western model of development, China's approach accentuates common benefits and shared progress.
Sharif believed that cooperation between China and other countries, including Pakistan, is likely to enhance in the coming years, particularly in the fields of green transition, science and technology as well as innovation, making the world more inclusive and sustainable.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, said that China's development over the past few decades is exceptional and it has shared its prosperity with the rest of the world in terms of trade, investment and knowledge sharing.
Connectivity among cultures, countries and continents is the foundation of China's modernization that serves as an important reference for countries worldwide in going forward with their modernization efforts, he said. ■