ISLAMABAD:In a rare public rebuff, the Chinese envoy to Pakistan said that two deadly terror attacks within only six months were unacceptable and the government should launch a crackdown against all anti-China terrorist groups.
Speaking at a seminar titled ‘China at 75’, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong further said that security was the biggest constraint to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and “without safe and sound environment nothing can be achieved”.
The ambassador spoke twice during the seminar, organised by the Pakistan China Institute of stalwart politician Senator Mushahid Hussain. Jiang first spoke before the speech of Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and then he used his right to reply after Dar’s remarks on the security for the Chinese.
“It is very unacceptable for us to be attacked twice in only six months and these attacks have also caused causalities,” Ambassador Jiang said. He added that Beijing hoped that the Pakistani side could further strengthen the security measures to protect Chinese personnel, institutions and projects.
“Pakistan should severely punish the perpetrators and crack down on all anti-China terrorist groups,” said the ambassador during his second unusual intervention. “Security is the biggest concern for China and a constraint to CPEC in Pakistan.”
Ambassador Jiang remarks came after Deputy Prime Minister Dar said in his speech that “Chinese are very clear no matter how lucrative an investment is anywhere if the security issue is there they do not send Chinese personnel. Your country is the only exception. This is what the Chinese leadership told the Prime Minister of Pakistan in my presence”.
Ambassador Jiang clarified that “President Xi cares about Chinese people’s security and puts people’s lives first. He especially cares about the security of the Chinese people in Pakistan. Every time when he meets with Pakistani leaders he asks for taking measures to ensure the security of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects”, said the ambassador.
The terrorists have twice targeted Chinese nationals in the past six months, first in March and then again in October just 10 days before the visit of the Chinese Premier to Pakistan.
It is highly uncommon when a foreign diplomat used his right to reply after the speech of the foreign minister, indicating divergent views on security between the two nations.
