Naghmana Hashmi (Former Ambassador): Pakistan and China has a long history of strategic relationship which is always on upwards trajectory based on mutual trust and understanding. China being a time tested friend of Pakistan always stood with us on multiple occasions. The peaceful rise of China that is mainly based on development and cooperation with rest of the world and moving away from hegemonic designs and conflicts will have far reaching consequences on the world. China has played a very constructive role in bridging the differences between Saudi Arabia and Iran. By doing this China has signaled that it is going to play a leading role in international security environment.  On the other hand, this rising role of China is being taken as a competition between United States. It is important for Pakistan to balance its relationship with both China and United States.