China will never own Pakistan's problems, says ex-envoy

China has its own vision, and given its issues with the US and India, Beijing would never own Islamabad's problems, a former envoy has said, adding that Pakistan needs to address its issues.

Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, a former ambassador to the US, India and China, said this while speaking at a seminar titled "US Foreign Policy and Trump Presidency: A Review and Outlook" on Monday.

Qazi said that since 1979 China has been progressing. Initially, it emerged as regional power as well as second largest economy, and by 2030 it would become the largest economy of the world, "but the US and Europe, collectively, would remain the biggest economy of the world".

"Though it (China) is emerging as significant player in the entire region and Indian Ocean, it has not challenged any country. Let's see how Trump deals with China," he said.

Former Foreign Minister Inamul Haq said US President Donald Trump wished to restore the US supremacy, bring back jobs for the people and protect the economy from the onslaught of globalisation, but it was very difficult for him to achieve all these tasks.

According to senior journalist Zahid Hussain, Trump policies towards South Asia are ambiguous, although the President spoke in a very positive manner during his telephonic talk with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

"One thing is clear that India and Pakistan will be dealt separately, though Pakistan doesn't like it."

"Trump's position on China will make things more complicated and pressure will increase on Pakistan to take action against militant groups against India," he said.

--IANS

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