ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is leading a high level PPP delegation at International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) held in the Chinese town of Nanning. This is Bilawal's third visit to China and second in his capacity as Chairman PPP. The first visit led to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between The PPP and the Chinese Communist Party to forge closer ties. It is the first historic MOU of its kind signed between Chinese Communist Party and any political party from Pakistan.
Besides speaking at the Conference as the head of PPP in the company of some of Asia's leading political leaders Bilawal also utilized the opportunity and met political party leaders of China and some other countries.
The Chairman is leading a PPP delegation that included some of the Party�s heavy weights like Secretary General PPP Jahangir Badar; Governor Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar and MNA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Hashaam Riaz Sheikh, Special Assistant to the Chairman PPP was also included in the delegation.
The visit of Bilawal Bhutto is the first major visit of a high level delegation of PPP to China and signaled beginning of closer cooperation at the highest level of Party echelon as well as paving the way for visits by delegations like that of the youth and women.
The President had taken along his daughters on visit to China symbolizing the trickling down of people to people contacts to the third generation following the openings made by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and later by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Introducing his daughters to the Chinese President during one of his eight trips to China the President had remarked that their coming to China symbolized that the torch of friendship between the two countries had now passed into the hands of the third generation of Bhuttos.
Bilawal�s participation at the international political Conference revived the memories of his mother Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto who eleven years ago represented the Pakistan Peoples Party at the First International Conference of Asian Political Parties in Manila.
Highlighting Pakistan's importance in war against terror, Bilawal said, "My country lies wounded as a victim of terror. We don't lack the will. We lack the means. We are neither complicit nor are we incompetent. We lack capacity to face the world's enemies on our own�.
Taking exception to the criticism of Pakistan he said, "At a time of global recession and natural disasters when Pakistan requires sympathy, support and assistance from the west we are met with suspicions, accusations and demonization".
Reiterating PPP policy he said that military means alone were not enough to fight militancy. "We know that drones, raids and unilateral actions are not the answers and dialogue, deterrence, development and democracy is the only roadmap to peace".
Echoing the vision of his mother of the Asian century Bilawal also described the transformation of Asia's role at the global level as `nothing short of miraculous' adding "we may be witnessing the birth of a new world order."
And to give a vision for the future Bilawal called upon the Asian countries to set up an Asian Monetary Fund, strengthen economic cooperation and take steps to guard against future financial crises.
He also voiced strong support for China and lamented the tendency among some to demonize emerging Asian economic superpowers like China and called it `the fear factor'.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also spoke of the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan and recalled the resilience of the Pakistani nation to address challenges.
He also called for peaceful resolution of regional disputes and joint action against transnational crimes.
The PPP Chairman during his visit also held a meeting with Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
The two leaders emphasized on carrying forward the legendary friendship between Pakistan and China to the new heights in the years to come.
Minister Wang Jiarui invited the leadership of PPP to China for increasing interaction with the leadership of Communist Party of China (CPC).
He recalled his earlier meeting with Chairman Bilawal in 2008 and before that with Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and welcomed the third generation of PPP leadership's close friendship with their Chinese counterparts.
The two leaders also agreed that Pakistan and China should increase regional cooperation for ensuring peace, harmony, and equitable development in the region
The Chairman PPP also met Jose De Venecia, Founding Chairman and Co-Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and former speaker of the House of Representatives of Philippines. He appreciated the idea of holding this conference which allows them to better understand each others' political and cultural values and traditions.
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