Islamabad (Special Report): “CPEC is a pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative and a demonstration project of China-Pakistan cooperation. BRI is a great vision of statesman of the era President XI Jinping. It is a great example of shared future, prosperity and global development. BRI is vision and project to be followed by other leaders of the world. 2021 which marks the 70th anniversary of China Pakistan diplomatic relations, the CPEC projects have achieved major progress despite the challenge of Covid-19 pandemic. The strong momentum of development of the CPEC has supported Pakistan’s economic stability, and well-being of the people”. These views were expressed by minister for planning and, development Asad Umer speaking as chief guest at the awarding ceremony for outstanding Pakistani staff working on CPEC projects organized by Chinese embassy in Islamabad. Asad Umer said achievements of the CPEC are made through jointefforts. CPEC provided opportunity to Pakistani professionals to show their best abilities. Pakistanistaff at CPEC projects, through their hard work, make these progress possible. During the ceremony,representatives of the Pakistani staff from three projects (Arsalan Khan of Karot Hydropower Project, Fazal Rahim of Port Qasim power plant, Thakot Yousuf Karim of KKH Phrase-II Havelian-Thakot) delivered their speeches and shared their experiences.
Speaking at the occasion and host of the event Chinese Ambassador Mr. Nong Rong said 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. It is also a year witnessed the deepening of all-round cooperation between the two countries. In particular, the CPEC project despite the challenge of pandemic, has made great achievement. During this year, the CPEC has always been the focus of our two countries. May it be on May 21st , when the leaders of the two countries exchanged congratulatory messages for the 70-year anniversary; or on July 24thwhen the third China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue took place; or on October 26th, President Xi Jinping called Prime Minister Imran Khan on the phone, both parties expressed their will to jointly build the CPEC, to promote cooperation in agriculture, digital economy and people’s livelihood, and bring more benefits to the local people, and comprehensively build the health, industrial, trade, digital, and green corridors, so as to build the CPEC into a demonstration project for high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. He appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s efforts and said China is pleased to see that Prime Minister Imran Khan attaches great importance to the CPEC. He chaired a series of meetings on CPEC, including the one for industry development, and held two seminars with Chinese entrepreneurs. “Pakistanigovernment established the China-Pakistan Relations Steering Committee to coordinate and resolve CPEC issues; introduced the special visa policy for CPEC to facilitate investment; set up a Foreign National Security Cell to strengthen security measures. These practical measures have injected more confidence in the development of the CPEC”, Ambassador Nong maintained. The achievements of the CPEC are not possible without joint efforts of staff from both China and Pakistan. They are not only the constructors and participants of the CPEC, but also the `witnesses and promoters of history. In particular, the 27 outstanding Pakistani staff who participate in the award ceremony today, are outstanding representatives in this regard. The CPEC, as a landmark project of China-Pakistan cooperation in the new era, and a successful regional economic cooperation platform, provides a broad stage for people to display their talents and realize personal values.
Director General National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Mr. Ying Xiong said that the world is now undergoing major changes unseen in a century. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has further evolved the major changes, with more sources of turbulence and risks around the world. As all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan have continuously strengthened strategic communication and safeguarded common interests. During the past 70 years since the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties, the two countries have always stood side by side in weal and woe. History has fully proved that the two countries are the most reliable iron-clad brothers. China’s development and growth is to the interest of Pakistan, and it is also China’s sincere hope that Pakistan can enjoy stable development to become prosperity. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation.
Since its initiation in 2013, China and Pakistan have joint hands to work together for 8 years, by following the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. Even in the face of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPEC projects still enjoy smooth operation. There is no stop of the CPEC projects construction, no job cut for Pakistani staffs and no withdrawal of Chinese workforce. The CPEC construction has bucked the trend with continuous new achievements. In September this year, the 10th Joint Coordination Committee meeting of CPEC was successfully held.