Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi has applauded China's emphasis on the development of new quality productive forces, saying that the move "represents a clear focus on prioritizing innovation, high-quality development and cutting-edge technologies".

In an exclusive interview, Hashmi said the nation's economy, technology and sustainable developments were major areas of interest to him during the annual political consultative and legislative sessions over the past week.

For the Chinese government, setting five percent year-on-year growth for 2024 is reflective of confidence and resilience of Chinese economy, he said.

One of the nation's remarkable achievements over the past year is the fact that it produced more power through renewable than from thermal sources of energy for the first time, he said.

"This is a concrete indicator of China walking the walk on climate and environmental protection agenda."

The Pakistani envoy said he foresees a very positive outlook for the Chinese economy in 2024. "The focus on diversifying its strengths in new quality productive forces, as well as clear-headed attention to structural policy issues rather than stimulus packages will further generate economic momentum."

Hashmi, who had worked at the Pakistani Embassy to China as political counselor from 2008-2010, started his term as the top envoy of Islamabad to Beijing over three months ago.

He said he is "thoroughly impressed with the all-round positive progress made by China in the last 15 years in human, technological, environmental and economic development."

"The most immediate and most visible is the huge improvement in air quality. This is indeed a very impressive feat by any measure," he said.