Why Set a GDP Growth Target of 'Around 5%'? - Li Meets Sri Lanka's Gunawardena - China-Nauru Joint Statement - Wang Yi on China-US Ties - Eyeing Foreign Investment - Terror attack in Pakistan
Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People's Daily’s edition on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
Page 1: Let’s begin with a report on what progress and stability means in the context of the GDP growth target of 5%. The first section of the article tells us that:
“‘Around 5%’ is a stable and long-term goal. To achieve steady and long-term development, we need to stay focused, work steadily, stick to the bottom line, take a long-term view, and promote steady and sound economic and social development …The growth target of ‘about 5%’ has been proposed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council through scientific demonstration on the basis of comprehensive balance. It is a reasonable goal that offers strong qualities of predictability, directionality and guidance, embodying the requirement of seeking progress while maintaining stability and promoting stability through progress.” “5%左右”，是一个行稳致远的目标。行稳致远，就是要保持定力、稳扎稳打、坚守底线、着眼长远，推动经济社会平稳健康发展。今年是中华人民共和国成立75周年，是实现“十四五”规划目标任务的关键一年。确定“关键一年”的“关键目标”，至关重要。“5%左右”的增长目标，是党中央、国务院在综合平衡基础上经过科学论证提出的，是一个具有很强预期性、指导性、引导性的合理目标，体现了稳中求进、以进促稳的要求.
“To persist in pursuing progress while maintaining stability, we must balance speed and quality, and promote high-quality development with steady and long-term progress. High-quality development is the primary task of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way, and we must take high-quality development as the inescapable truth (硬道理) of the new era. Continuously promoting the economy to achieve effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth is an integral part of high-quality development. Without effective improvement in quality, reasonable growth in quantity will be unsustainable. Likewise, without a certain speed of growth, there will be no material basis for expanding employment, increasing incomes, and improving people's livelihood, and it will be impossible to achieve effective qualitative improvement. This year, the number of college graduates is expected to exceed 11.7 million; the employment pressure, therefore, still exists. To achieve the target of creating ‘more than 12 million’ new urban jobs, it is required to maintain a GDP growth rate of around 5%. On the other hand, achieving a growth of ‘around 5%’ this year will provide a solid foundation for expanding employment and increasing income, and China's economy will be able to move steadily along the track of high-quality development.” 坚持稳中求进，就要统筹速度与质量，行稳致远推动高质量发展。高质量发展是全面建设社会主义现代化国家的首要任务，必须把坚持高质量发展作为新时代的硬道理。持续推动经济实现质的有效提升和量的合理增长，是高质量发展的题中应有之义。没有质的有效提升，量的合理增长将不可持续。同样，没有一定的速度，扩大就业、提高收入和改善民生就失去了物质基础，质的有效提升也无从谈起。今年，高校毕业生预计超过1170万人，就业压力依然存在，完成“1200万人以上”的城镇新增就业目标，要求经济增速保持5%左右。反过来看，今年实现“5%左右”的增长，扩大就业、提高收入就有了坚实基础，中国经济就能沿着高质量发展轨道行稳致远.
The section later adds that the “growth target of ‘around 5%’ is consistent with the country’s medium- and long-term development goals, and maintaining a reasonable growth rate year-after-year will help us move steadily towards the grand goal of building a modern socialist country in an all-round way.” 放在中国式现代化全局中看，“5%左右”的增长目标是与中长期发展目标相衔接的。保持合理增速，一年接着一年干，有利于我们向着全面建设社会主义现代化国家的宏伟目标稳步前行.
The section ends with this:
“In 2024, although the Chinese economy still faces some difficulties and challenges, as the ‘scarring effect’ of the pandemic weakens, related risks diminish, favorable factors accumulate, and policy effects continue to accumulate, the economy is expected to accelerate its return to potential growth levels, and ‘around 5%’ is expected to be achieved as part of the sustained and stable recovery of the economy.” 2024年，尽管中国经济仍面临一些困难挑战，但随着疫情“疤痕效应”减弱、相关风险隐患化解、有利因素累积增多、政策效应持续叠加，经济有望加快向潜在增长水平回归，“5%左右”有望在经济持续稳定恢复中实现.
Section two of the article says that around 5% is a pragmatic and realistic goal.
“Seeking progress while maintaining stability implies that stability is the overall situation and foundation, while progress is the direction and driving force. Without stability, there can be no progress, and without progress, stability is difficult to maintain. This stability is proactive, positive, and enterprising. It means stabilizing expectations, growth, and employment and continuing to consolidate and enhance the positive momentum of the economy. This progress means making steady progress, taking responsibility, and paying close attention to implementation. In particular, it is important to be proactive in changing the mode, adjusting structures, improving quality, and increasing efficiency, so as to inject strong impetus into high-quality development. The target of ‘around 5%’ growth reflects the requirements of seeking progress while maintaining stability, promoting stability through progress, and establishing before breaking. It conforms to the national conditions and laws, and has a scientific basis, strong support and realistic conditions.” 稳中求进，稳是大局和基础，进是方向和动力。不稳无法进，不进难以稳。这个稳，是主动的稳、积极的稳、进取的稳，稳预期、稳增长、稳就业，继续巩固和增强经济向好态势。这个进，是稳扎稳打的进、担当作为的进、狠抓落实的进，特别是要在转方式、调结构、提质量、增效益上积极进取，为高质量发展注入强劲动力。“5%左右”，体现了稳中求进、以进促稳、先立后破的要求，符合国情、顺应规律，有科学依据，有强大支撑，有现实条件.
The section then talks about how the demand-side troika (三驾马车) has significant space to expand. This troika includes:
Consumption: The article argues that “in 2023, the total retail sales of consumer goods exceeded 47 trillion yuan, and the final contribution rate of consumer spending to economic growth was 82.5%, driving economic growth by 4.3 percentage points.” It adds that given the 400 million-strong middle-income group, there is “huge potential for improving consumption”. “Economic recovery, employment improvement, and residents’ income growth will support the continued improvement of consumption power.” It adds that as “information technologies and applications, such as network technology, cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence continue to mature, they will promote the continuous expansion of consumption scenarios; the steady expansion of service consumption, and the accelerated digital and green transformation of production and lifestyles will also promote the continuous strengthening of consumption power.” 消费潜力大。“国货潮品”备受青睐，冰雪经济火热“出圈”，“消费促进年”活动精彩纷呈……今日之中国，消费是经济增长的主引擎。2023年，社会消费品零售总额超过47万亿元，最终消费支出对经济增长的贡献率达到82.5%，拉动经济增长4.3个百分点。我国拥有14亿多人口、4亿多中等收入群体，消费提质扩容潜力巨大：经济恢复、就业改善、居民收入增长，将支撑消费能力持续提升；网络技术、云计算、大数据和人工智能等信息技术与应用不断成熟，将促进消费场景不断拓展；服务消费稳步扩大，生产生活方式加快数字化绿色化转型，将推动消费动力不断增强.
Investment: Under this, the article argues that “economists generally believe that for a country to achieve long-term sustainable economic growth, it must have high investment growth. As the world's largest developing country, addressing the issues of unbalanced and insufficient development, breaking through bottlenecks in science and technology, and accelerating innovation-driven development all require increased investment. This also means that there is still a lot of room for expanding investment in the foreseeable future. Promoting the optimization and upgrading of industrial and supply chains will effectively stimulate manufacturing investment. Promoting new urbanization and making up for shortcomings in transportation, water conservancy, energy and other fields will continue to drive infrastructure investment. In order to adapt to the trend of population aging and respond to the needs of the elderly and the young, investment in social welfare and people’s livelihood will also continue to expand. In the first two months of this year, fixed asset investment increased by 4.2% year-on-year, 1.2 percentage points faster than the previous year, showing a positive trend in investment.” 经济学家通常认为，一国实现经济长期可持续增长，必须有较高的投资增长。作为世界上最大的发展中国家，解决发展不平衡不充分问题、突破科技等方面瓶颈制约、加快创新驱动、推动高质量发展都需要增加投资，这也意味着今后很长一个阶段，扩大投资仍有不少文章可做。推动产业链供应链优化升级，将有力撬动制造业投资。推进新型城镇化，补足交通、水利、能源等领域短板，将持续带动基础设施投资。适应人口老龄化趋势，响应“一老一小”需求，社会民生领域投资也将持续扩大。今年前2个月，固定资产投资同比增长4.2%，比上年全年加快1.2个百分点，显示出投资向好态势.
Foreign trade: In this regard, the article argues that despite the external challenges in 2023, exports maintained positive growth and China’s international market share was “generally stable.” It adds that despite the “complex and severe foreign trade situation” this year so far, things have been going well and “export orders for key products such as home appliances and automobiles are better than expected.” In the first two months of this year, China’s total goods trade increased by 8.7% year-on-year, with export growth returning to double digits, reaching 10.3%. By expanding high-level opening up and the high-quality development of BRI, the fundamentals of foreign trade are expected to continue to be consolidated.” 2023年，面对外需收缩等不利影响，我国出口实现正增长，国际市场份额总体稳定。今年以来，面对复杂严峻的外贸形势，各地区各部门和广大经营主体抢抓机遇、顶压前行：远洋货轮往来穿梭，跨境电商和海外仓一派繁忙，家电、汽车等重点产品出口订单好于预期……今年前2个月，我国货物贸易进出口总值同比增长8.7%，其中出口增速重回两位数、达10.3%。扩大高水平开放，高质量共建“一带一路”，外贸基本盘有望持续巩固。从供给侧看，新质生产力加快形成，发展内生动力在不断积聚.
On the supply side, the article argues that “the formation of new productive forces is accelerating, and endogenous power for development is constantly accumulating.” It argues that “long-term economic development is ultimately driven by supply,” and China is home to the “world's most complete industrial system and increasingly complete infrastructure network … the strong supply advantage gives the Chinese economy favorable conditions to quickly transform innovation into productivity.” 经济长期发展最终靠供给推动。拥有全球最完备的产业体系、日益完善的基础设施网络，制造业增加值占全球比重约30%，连续14年位居全球首位……强大的供给优势，让中国经济具备了将创新快速转化为生产力的有利条件.
It then talks about the emphasis on innovation, stating that “in 2023, scientific and technological progress contributed more than 60% to economic growth; the added value of strategic emerging industries accounted for more than 13% of GDP; and the scale of the digital economy accounted for more than 40% of GDP…”
The section ends with arguing that:
“With vast space on the demand side, abundant momentum on the supply side, and the continuous release of the dividends of reform and opening up and the gradual emergence of the ‘talent dividend’, the fundamentals of the Chinese economy will not change in the long run. There are many supporting conditions and favorable factors for the target of ‘around 5%’, with the foundation of ‘stability’ being strengthened, and the momentum of ‘progress’ continuously being stimulated.” 需求端空间广阔、供给端动能充沛，加上改革开放红利不断释放、“人才红利”逐步显现，中国经济长期向好的基本面不会改变，“5%左右”具有诸多支撑条件和有利因素，“稳”的基础将不断夯实，“进”的动能将持续激发.
The final section makes the point that this goal of around 5% growth is a positive goal. This implies that it requires folks to work hard and grasp the situation; be “courageous and proactive.”
The author argues that:
“Currently, the complexity, severity, and uncertainty of the external environment are increasing, while domestic effective demand is insufficient and social expectations are weak. To further promote economic recovery, it is necessary to overcome some difficulties and challenges.” Consequently, the around 5% GDP growth target is “neither ‘easy’ nor ‘out of reach’. Setting a growth target of ‘around 5%’ is conducive to unleashing the growth potential of the Chinese economy, mobilizing the enthusiasm of officials to be enterprising, and further boosting confidence by guiding expectations, and better building consensus on development.” 当前，外部环境复杂性、严峻性、不确定性上升，国内有效需求不足、社会预期偏弱，进一步推动经济回升向好需要克服一些困难和挑战。既非“轻而易举”，也非“遥不可及”。设定“5%左右”的增长目标，有利于释放中国经济蕴藏的增长潜力，有利于调动各方面干事创业的积极性，有利于进一步提振信心、引导预期、更好凝聚发展共识.
The example of policy measures taken in regard to maintaining stability that have been adopted this year are:
Lowering of RRR by 50 basis points from Feb. 5. This released “around 1 trillion yuan of long-term liquidity”
Announcement of ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, and increase in the scale of general public budget expenditure increased by 1.1 trillion yuan compared with the previous year
巩固“稳”的基础——聚焦“稳预期、稳增长、稳就业”，降低存款准备金率，释放长期流动性约1万亿元；发行超长期特别国债，一般公共预算支出规模比上年增加1.1万亿元，一系列逆周期和跨周期调节宏观政策相继落地。
In terms of progress, the article points to efforts related to:
accelerating the development of new productive forces and promoting coordinated regional development
unleashing domestic demand through promotion of large-scale equipment updates and the replacement of old consumer goods with new ones, and promote new urbanization with a focus on accelerating the urbanization of agricultural migrant workers
deepen the reform of state-owned enterprises, support the development of private enterprises, relax market access for the service industry, build the ‘Invest in China’ brand, and deepen reform and opening up
激发“进”的动能——为进一步增强发展后劲，以科技创新推动产业创新、加快发展新质生产力，推动区域协调发展、大力优化经济布局；为进一步释放内需潜力，推动大规模设备更新和消费品以旧换新，以加快农业转移人口市民化为重点推进新型城镇化；为进一步激发经济活力，深化国企改革、支持民企发展、放宽服务业市场准入、打造“投资中国”品牌，纵深推进改革开放……各地区各部门和广大经营主体开拓创新、拼搏奉献，以自身工作的确定性应对形势变化的不确定性.
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Next, there’s a report on Li Qiang’s meeting (English report) with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Xinhua reports:
“China supports Sri Lanka's efforts to realize national unity and stability as well as independent economic development, Li said, adding that China is willing to push forward the implementation of major projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, agriculture and marine research. He called on the two sides to explore cooperation potential in clean energy and telecommunication while strengthening exchanges and cooperation in culture, tourism and education. China encourages more companies to invest in Sri Lanka and is willing to increase imports of Sri Lankan quality products, Li said, expressing the hope that Sri Lanka could provide a good business environment for Chinese companies. Both sides should strengthen people-to-people exchanges in culture, tourism, education and other areas to build a solid foundation for friendship between the two countries.” 李强指出，中方坚定支持斯方实现国家团结稳定、经济自主发展的努力，愿同斯方在共建“一带一路”框架下全力推进重要项目实施，深化经贸、农业、海洋科研等领域合作，挖掘清洁能源、通信等领域合作潜力，推动两国务实合作提质升级。中方鼓励更多中国企业赴斯投资兴业，愿增加进口斯优质产品，希望斯方为中方企业提供良好营商环境。双方要加强文化、旅游、教育等人文交流，筑牢两国友好的根基.
Gunawardena reportedly said that “Sri Lanka thanks China for its long-term support in Sri Lanka’s defense of national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, its strong assistance in promoting Sri Lanka’s economic and social development, and its strong support in relation to the COVID-19 epidemic and financial crisis.” The report added that “Sri Lanka speaks highly of BRI and a series of global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping.” Gunawardena also apparently backed the one-China principle.
In terms of outcomes, they inked deals on trade, investment, customs and development cooperation.
Gunawardena also met with Zhao Leji, who said that “the NPC of China stands ready to strengthen communication with the parliament of Sri Lanka at different levels and enhance coordination during multilateral occasions, to provide legal guarantees for bilateral cooperation in various fields.”
Next, there’s a report on Xi and the Honduran President exchanging congratulatory messages on the first anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Xinhua reports: “Xi said he highly appreciates Honduras's firm adherence to the one-China principle, stressing that facts have proved that the establishment of the China-Honduras diplomatic relations is a correct political decision made in compliance with the historical trend and serves the fundamental interests of the two nations.”
As per Xinhua, Castro said that “China, with a multi-millennial civilization and a major role to play in the historical process, is a role model for the world and an important partner of Honduras…Honduras firmly sticks to the one-China principle and is willing to develop ties with China that feature independence and mutual respect…”
Also, there’s a report on Zhao Leji meeting Nauruan President David Adeang. Xinhua says that Zhao welcomed “Nauru aboard the express train of China's development”. He also said that “the NPC of China stands ready to work with the parliament of Nauru to enhance communication at all levels, formulate or improve legal documents conducive to bilateral cooperation, share experience in reform and development and the construction of the rule of law.” Adeang agreed to deeper cooperation between the two legislatures and “said that the resumption of diplomatic relations with China is a firm political decision of the Nauruan government and parliament.”
Finally, there’s a report on Han Zheng’s remarks at the Invest in China Summit. Han said:
“The continued release of China’s market potential will create more business opportunities for foreign-funded enterprises; the continuous improvement of the industrial system will provide reliable support for the stable operation of the world economy; the continued optimization of the business environment will provide better protection for foreign-invested enterprises. China is willing, as always, to share opportunities and grow together with companies from all over the world, and promote the construction of an open world economy.” 中国市场潜力持续释放，将为外资企业创造更多商机；产业体系持续完善，将为世界经济稳定运行提供可靠支撑；营商环境持续优化，将为外资企业提供更好保障。中国愿一如既往与各国企业共享机遇、共同成长，推动建设开放型世界经济.
He added: “Investing in China means investing in the future.” 投资中国，就是投资未来。
Page 2: First, the full China-Nauru joint statement (English version) is published on the page. Key points:
“The two sides agreed that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Nauru on the basis of the one-China principle is in line with the trend of history and the times, and meets the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. Standing at a new historical starting point, the two sides agreed to strengthen political mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation, and be good friends and good partners that respect each other and develop together.”
Nauru “believes that the Chinese path to modernization offers new options and solutions to fellow developing countries seeking independent development.” It also backed GDI, GSI and GCI.
“The two sides agreed that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equals. The Chinese side firmly supports Nauru in upholding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and in independently choosing a development path suited to its national conditions. The Nauruan side reiterated that it firmly adheres to the one-China principle, recognizes that there is but one China in the world, that the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The Nauruan side firmly opposes ‘Taiwan independence’ in all forms and interference by external forces in China's internal affairs, and firmly supports all efforts by the Chinese government to realize national reunification. Nauru considers matters related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang as China's internal affairs, and reaffirms the principle of non-interference into another sovereign state's internal affairs.”
China welcomed Nauru’s participation in BRI and said that it “supports Nauru in joining the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank at an early date.”
“The two sides agreed to advocate humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom; strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs; defend the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core; uphold true multilateralism; oppose hegemonism and power politics; oppose interference in the internal affairs of other countries; and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.”
“The two sides are committed to working with all sides to promote peace, development and stability in the Pacific Islands region. The two sides firmly uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone and the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, and call on relevant countries to fulfill international obligations and prudently handle the discharge of nuclear contaminated water, cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, etc.” (Comment: Clear points here being made about the Fukushima wastewater issue and AUKUS.)
The final point is about strengthening cooperation related to “emergency supplies, climate response, poverty alleviation and development, disaster prevention and mitigation, Juncao technology and agriculture…”
Second, there’s a report on Foreign Minister Wang Yi meeting his Nepalese counterpart Narayan Kaji Shrestha. The report doesn’t say much. Shrestha is reported to have said that “Nepal is willing to work with China to advance the Belt and Road cooperation and decides to join the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative.”
There is no readout on the Nepal Foreign Ministry’s website so far. But The Himalayan reports: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that during the meeting, both leaders evaluated the status of bilateral relations and affirmed their dedication to enhancing ties between the two nations.”
Third, Wang also met with NCUSCR Chairman Evan Greenberg and NCUSCR President Stephen Orlins. Wang told them that “the crux of China-US relations is that the United States has positioned China as its most important strategic competitor and most important geopolitical challenge. The United States should work with China to provide more support and facilitation for exchanges between the two peoples, enhance mutual understanding through face-to-face contacts, and stabilize, improve and advance bilateral relations.” 会见埃文·格林伯格、欧伦斯时，王毅强调，中美关系的症结在于美方将中国定位为最主要战略竞争对手、最重大地缘政治挑战，这种错误认知导致两国关系问题不断，美方领导人所作的承诺也无法转化为实际行动。美方应同中方相向而行，推动两国关系稳下来、好起来、向前走.
Separately, Wang also met with Graham Allison. MoFA’s readout says:
“Wang Yi said the most important event in international relations for the past 50 years is the recovery and development of China-U.S. relations. In the next 50 years, what the international community expects most is that China and the United States find a proper way to get along with each other. On the basis of a profound review of the development of China-U.S. relations, President Xi Jinping has put forward the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, which are consistent with traditional Chinese culture and China's diplomatic philosophy, and provide fundamental guidance for China to view and handle China-U.S. relations. Wang Yi said, China and the United States are countries with completely different histories and cultures, and cannot judge each other by their own standards. Chinese philosophy suggests harmony without uniformity, and holds that different roads may run in parallel without interfering with one another, and all living things may grow side by side without harming one another. This is essentially different from the binary opposition thinking of some Americans, which is characterized by a black-and-white and I-win-you-lose approach. The Chinese side believes that China and the United States should jointly address the global challenges and establish a more stable, sound and sustainable relationship. Bearing the future of humankind in mind, President Xi Jinping has also proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. This is not only a lofty goal pursued by Chinese diplomacy but also provides a Chinese solution to the questions of ‘what kind of world to build and how to build it’. Wang Yi expressed the hope that the academia will strengthen research on the right way for China and the United States to get along with each other and the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and propose constructive ideas beyond the traditional theory of international relations.”
Fourth, there is a very brief report on the first meeting of the joint working group under the China-Russia Inter-parliamentary Commission on Cooperation. Next, there’s a report on He Lifeng meeting IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Xinhua reports:
He said that “the Chinese government is willing to continue to support the IMF to make new contributions to global stability and prosperity…Georgieva said she believes that China's promotion of transforming its growth model and high-quality financial development will inject new momentum into global economic growth.”
Finally, there’s an announcement that Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, will visit China for the first China-Kazakhstan foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue from March 28 to 30. This is interesting timing, given that Nurtleu has just been in Washington, where he met Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Among many other things, the State Department’s readout says that Blinken “also reaffirmed the United States’ commitment as a reliable partner to Kazakhstan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.”
Page 4: There is a report informing that in February, there were 6,715 cases of violation of the eight-point central regulation. In all, 9,065 people were dealt with (including 2 provincial and ministerial cadres and 57 prefecture-level cadres).
In all, 2,709 cases of formalism and bureaucracy were investigated and dealt with, involving around 3,917 people. Among these, the most common cases (2,339 involving 3,443 people) were related to “not fulfilling duties of serving economic and social development and ecological and environmental protection and failure to take action, acting recklessly, pretending to act, seriously affecting high-quality development.” 根据通报，今年2月全国共查处形式主义、官僚主义问题2709起，批评教育和处理3917人。其中，查处“在履职尽责、服务经济社会发展和生态环境保护方面不担当、不作为、乱作为、假作为，严重影响高质量发展”方面问题最多，查处2339起，批评教育和处理3443人.
Page 15: On the international page, there’s a report on the statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, following the attack on personnel linked to the Dasu Hydropower Project. The embassy said that “5 Chinese citizens and 1 Pakistani citizen” had been killed in the “terrorist attack.”
“The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan have launched an emergency plan immediately, requesting the Pakistani side to thoroughly investigate the attack and severely punish the perpetrators. Meanwhile, The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan are taking all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan, and to ensure such incidents will not happen again. The Chinese Embassy and Consulates General in Pakistan remind Chinese citizens, enterprises in Pakistan to pay close attention to the security situation, enhance security alerts, strengthen security measures, and make every effort to take safety precautions.”
The PD report also includes statements by President Zardari and PM Sharif. The latter, in fact, visited the Chinese embassy after the incident.
China’s MoFA said that:
“China strongly condemns this terrorist attack. We express deep condolences over the lives lost and extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families. China asks Pakistan to thoroughly investigate the incident as soon as possible, hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Meanwhile, we ask Pakistan to take effective measures to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals, institutions and projects in Pakistan. China is working with Pakistan on the follow-up work with all-out effort. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has reminded Chinese citizens and businesses in Pakistan to closely follow the local security situation, take extra safety precautions, strengthen security measures and do their best to guard against terrorist attacks.”
It added: “China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad brothers, and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) greatly contributes to the socioeconomic development of Pakistan. No attempt to undermine China-Pakistan cooperation will succeed. China opposes all forms of terrorism and firmly supports Pakistan in fighting terrorism. China will work with Pakistan with even stronger commitment to do everything possible to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.”