Washington DC, 28 September 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto urged the US and China to work together to deal with the climate-induced crisis.
The statement came during the Foreign Minister’s visit to the Washington think-tank, Woodrow Wilson Centre.
🇵🇰 Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says we will not overcome climate change unless China 🇨🇳 and the United States 🇺🇸 work together to save the planet.pic.twitter.com/LrnJgunEPg
— Tayyab Baloch طیب بلوچ (@tayyabbalochpk) September 27, 2022
In his statement, the Foreign Minister said that everything can wait. He emphasized that countries can solve their conflicts or fight only if a planet is left to fight over.
Correspondingly, he said that climate change and other environmental issues can not be solved separately. Therefore, he urged that it is important to save the planet which cannot be done without US and China, the two world powers’ cooperation.
Meeting with US Secretary
A day earlier, the Foreign Minister met the Us Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken. During the meeting, both sides highlighted working together against climate change.
Welcomed Pakistani Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari to the @StateDept to reaffirm our close partnership for economic prosperity, regional stability, and food security. I also emphasized our continued support for flood relief, including nearly $56.5 million in aid. #PakUSAt75 pic.twitter.com/TAZdFjh5zI
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 27, 2022
Moreover, the US Secretary of State in his statement said that he had also urged Pakistan to engage China on some of the important issues of debt relief and restructuring. He said that by doing so Pakistan can more quickly recover from the floods.
Response by the Chinese Foreign Ministry
In response to Secretary Blinken’s statement, China asked the US to do more for flood relief. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin on Tuesday addressed this issue.
Instead of pointing fingers at China-Pakistan cooperation, the US might as well ask itself what it can do for the welfare of the Pakistani people. pic.twitter.com/ajgTN881x3
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) September 28, 2022
He said that Beijing was already providing assistance to the flood victims and would also help rebuild thousands of homes in the affected areas.
Correspondingly he urged other nations to also do something real and beneficial, instead of passing unwarranted criticism against China-Pakistan cooperation.
Also Read: China to do its utmost to help Pakistani people: Wang Wenbin
Foreign Minister of Pakistan’s Response
In light of these statements, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan asked the two countries to set aside their conflicts for the time being. He said that both countries should collaborate and join other countries in launching a collective action against climate change.
On the occasion, Foreign Minister Bilawal recalled a recent statement by the UN chief, António Guterres. He added that helping the countries that were facing the consequences of global warming is about climate justice.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister highlighted that Pakistan contributes only 0.8 percent to climate change but faced 24pc of its consequences. Therefore, he urged the world to help the victims of the climate crisis get over this catastrophe.
Heavy Monsoon spills since mid-June bought floods in many areas of Pakistan. It has destroyed many homes and taken the lives of many.
As Pakistan could not solve the issue domestically, it asked for International support. Many countries have thus aided Pakistan in bringing relief to the flood-stricken people.
The Chinese government provided RMB 400 million worth of humanitarian assistance to Pakistan.
Also Read: China to support Pakistan’s flood relief operations
The United States is so far the largest donor to flood relief and rehabilitation funds. It has provided about $56 million since July. Recently, Washington also announced an additional $10 million for food security.
