By Dr. Yan Li Jin

About the author

(The writer is the President of CETC International Co., Ltd., a state-owned company in China who is the only authorized party to deal with the manufacture and trading of defense electronic products. He has been working, living and dealing business in Pakistan for more then twenty years, and has virtually been a part of the developmental changes that took place within both the countries in the last two decades. )

Pak-china relationship is an all-weather friendship. We have all heard this slogan many a times. The Chinese as well as the Pakistani counter parts have a special place for each other in their hearts. However, as much as it is within it has to come out in tangible terms. There are numerous student exchange programs, developmental projects, and trade agreements taking place but I say it is not even a fraction of what can and should be done for the mutual progress of the two countries.

The people-to-people contact should be accelerated. Trade and business activities transpire; tourism should be enhanced.the Railway link with Pakistan would greatly facilitate the mobilization of tourists. As we , the Chinese are extremely passionate for natural beauty and Pakistan is blessed with some of the breathtakingly beautiful places and mountains but so far nothing commendable is been done to lure the Chinese tourist, according to a latest study there are some ---- Chinese tourist visiting abroad. The number has been increased from ---- in 2005 to ---- in 2007. that is a leap of ---- percentage. Similarly, the Pakistanis would prefer going to UK, UAE or US, perhaps because these are the places they are introduced to, when it comes to the neighboring country and an all weather friend, they are hesitant to visit the place anticipating cultural shock, language problem and lack of tourist friendly opportunities. But the truth of the matter is right opposite of this perception, china is certainly the most welcoming country for Pakistanis, language is also not a major problem now as more and more urbanites are picking up English at a fast pace and as for tourism opportunities are concerned, we are one of the world's oldest civilizations hence we are as rich in history and culture as can be. At the same time over just a couple of years, there has been a dramatic developmental explosion in the country. I remember, only just some 4-5 years back on my visits to Pakistan I used to stock my suitcase with little trinkets like different jams and jellies and even tissue paper, as back home we could not easily find these everyday items. You fast forward this scene JUST five years (read again FIVE YEARS) and today in china, I can challenge you that any world brand that one could think about has a presence. Moreover, that presence is quite conspicuous too. Why? Because all these world-renowned brands are now being manufactured locally, so they are quite affordable. Such is the pace of growth of our country. Just some 15 years back we used to dry chilies on the roof tops for consuming in the winter season, transistor radio was a luxury and the whole neighborhood used to sit around one radio, and average city dweller had two pieces of dresses and hot water (the temperature in Beijing can fall as low as -4 in winters) was rationed for one hour per week. This is the kind of childhood memories an typical Chinese like me clinch , and 15 years later china is the world largest consumer market, with a GDP growth rate of 10.7 % , the sprawling malls littered with designer fare, the six- way throughways with flashy cars speeding by, with dozens of A-class hotels sprinkled all over the cities, world class sporting facilities ( remember we are the proud host of next Olympics , when all the worlds attention will be diverted to Beijing 2008), I can go on and on about the phenomenal pace at which new china is emerging. It is a proven fact that the future belongs to china. That is why it is now the most popular second language in school curriculum of the developed world, whereas Pakistan is still stuck with French and Arabic. The affluent Americans now insist on hiring Chinese nannies so that their kids could pick up the language right from infancy, knowing the importance of learning the language of 21st's super power.

What I am trying to draw attention to is the fact that when China and Pakistan are the all weather best friends then why we both do not learn from each other philosophies, legacies and examples. Why the common Pakistani trader still has to cross the border, fill up the luggage with local fare and smuggle it back to adorn the display shops in the various china markets of the country. Similarly, there are many Pakistani products that are in great demand in our country but are not imported, as it should be. One such example is the Pakistani fruit ? fresh as well as fried. Pine nuts and almonds are in hugely required and so are the various fresh fruits like melons, apricots and plums. These fruits are the juiciest and most flavorful and have a great demand in China but most unfortunately, lack of knowledge and expertise of proper packaging of fresh produce is hindering the export in large numbers so far. However, Pakistan is now having Chinese grapes etc but I find an imbalance concerning fresh produce trade, which is probably because of lack of expertise in proper handling of such highly perishable items. The king of fruit mango (which is called mangua in Chinese) is the king of choice for us. Every Chinese that is posted to Pakistan long for the summer season, waiting anxiously to taste the flavors of the king of fruits.