China-Pakistan media organizations should devise strategy to expose ill intentions of adversaries: Moin ul Haque
By Staff Reporter | China Economic Net Dec 28, 2020
BEIJING, Dec. 28 (China Economic Net) - Pakistani Ambassador to China, H.E.Moin ul Haque said on Monday that it was imperative for media organizations and opinion-makers of China and Pakistan to devise a concerted and sustained media strategy to expose ill intentions of adversaries and highlight success and significance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He expressed these views while addressing the 6th CPEC Media Forum hosted and organized by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, China-Economic Net, and Pakistan China Institute.
Ambassador Haque said that despite the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)’s universal success and CPEC’s visible and tangible dividends for Pakistan, some voices in certain countries have taken a highly prejudiced view of CPEC to undermine its accomplishments and obfuscate its future possibilities and expansion and they resort to wishful distortion of facts and fabrication of lies.
“It is ironical that this propaganda is spearheaded by those who claim to be the flag-bearers of economic integration, regional connectivity, and transparency and openness,” he added.
“Confronted with such challenge, it is imperative that media organizations and opinion-makers of our two countries should devise a dispassionate, concerted and sustained media strategy to expose these ill intentions of our adversaries and highlight the success and significance of CPEC.”
To pursue the objective, he proposed that firstly, the media houses of Pakistan and China should undertake a fair and objective assessment of BRI and highlight its universal legitimacy and success for spurring economic growth and development in partner countries.
“And at the same time, the discourse on CPEC should particularly bring to fore its concrete and tangible achievements for addressing Pakistan’s energy crisis, expansion of our development infrastructure and role in socio-economic prosperity for people of Pakistan,” he added.
Secondly, he said, the media houses of the two countries should galvanise public support for our bilateral relations, educate the masses about the historic significance of bilateral friendship and its strategic importance for both countries.
“No media strategy is successful without stirring hearts of our peoples to the symphony of friendship,” he added.
Ambassador Haque said that thirdly, the media should help expand bilateral cultural linkages and people-to-people ties.
“Special media campaigns to advance our historical experiences, common Asian values, and cultural affinities should be initiated,” he added.
He said that fourthly, as arts and drama are the best reflections of a nation’s philosophy and culture, the entertainment industries of two countries should forge strong linkages and promote our dramas, movies, and music.
“As you all know, Pakistani movie Parvaaz Hai Junoon made its screening in China. It was after 45 years that a Pakistani movie was released in China. It was well received and there is a lot of interest in forging partnership for more screening of Pakistani and Chinese movies in each other countries and also for joint production of films,” he added.
Finally, he said that Pakistan and China will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries next year. Next year also marks the centennial of the Communist Party of China.
“So media houses of the two countries should organize special programs, documentaries, and seminars to celebrate this important milestone and renew our resolve to take our ties to new heights. Pakistan Embassy in China and the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan are ready to help you,” he added.
Ambassador Haque said that in today’s digital age, media has assumed greater significance not only for the dissemination of news but also due to its ever-increasing role in national development and growth of inter-state relations.
The growth of social media’s platforms has amplified media outreach and its importance for shaping public narrative and as well as influencing the general public and intelligentsia.
He remarked that such powerful is the media’s grasp that it is no longer a mere peripheral force in our societies but, in fact, a formidable vehicle for policy input and societal change.
Appreciating the role of media during the pandemic, he said that it not only played a key role in fighting the disease but also assisted the governments to raise awareness about the disease and preventive measures.
“When we were in lockdown, it helped us connected and informed. When we were feeling isolated and depressed, it entertained us and lifted our spirits. And more importantly, media in the two countries fostered friendship and solidarity between our two countries and people during these difficult times,” he added.
He remarked that the media cooperation between the two nations has played a historic role to promote the bilateral relations and it is also due to the professionalism and patriotism of our media organizations and journalists that Pakistan-China friendship has evolved into ‘Iron Brotherhood and All-Weather Ties’ permeating across all sections of our societies.
“Our journalists and reporters keenly observed the sentiments of bilateral trust, understanding, and admiration at the leadership level and spread the message of fraternal love and affection to every corner of our two countries,” he added.
He said that Pakistan is one of the earliest and enthusiastic proponents of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative and has emphatically endorsed its philosophy for win-win cooperation and regional economic integration.
As the pilot project of BRI, CPEC stellar success is a testimony of it that Pakistan has now surmounted the chronic energy crisis and laid out a solid infrastructure network for subsequent national development and growth. Phase-II of CPEC is now aimed at people-centric progress to make it a high-quality demonstration project of BRI.
He said that two days back, the meeting of CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination was held in Urumqi.
“In the meeting, we ensured that CPEC remains open, transparent, and inclusive, therefore the two countries have decided and agreed to open up CPEC to 3rd party participation,” he added.
He said that friendship between Pakistan and China is not merely the result of a convergence of bilateral interests but, in fact, determined by geography, history, and culture.
As Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the future of Pakistan and China is co-related, so the relationship has been sustained by successive governments and generations of people.
“While our close ties and partnership is a factor of peace and stability, it is also a target of our detractors. So our media, therefore, needs to play a crucial role to help nurture our historic ties, educate our peoples, promote our stories of friendship and continue advancing new and innovative ideas for achieving our shared destiny.”
“Playing this role successfully would be a great service to our friendship, regional stability, and most significantly, for the prosperity of our peoples.”
He expressed his confidence that a fruitful exchange of views today would enhance media cooperation between the two countries and help us evolve a correct and objective narrative for CPEC and BRI for both domestic and international audiences.
