Separately, Chian, Pakistan vowed to tap the full potential of Gawadar Port
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project has witnessed “smooth operation” and “remarkable” growth despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Top Chinese and Pakistani officials said while addressing an award ceremony for outstanding Pakistani staff of CPEC.
The award ceremony was held at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday and attended by top Pakistani and Chinese officials. Pakistan’s Planning Minister Asad Umar chaired the event. Director general of the Department of International Affairs, Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the BRI in China, Ying Xiong attended the ceremony online.
“Despite of Covid-19, the year of 2021 has seen remarkable progress in CPEC,” said Asad Umar. “We have seen the completion of projects and most importantly broadening of the CPEC that is through the industrial cooperation framework work and now its showing results such as construction work at AIlama Iqbal, Rashakai SEZs (Special Economic Zones) as well as expansion of Special Economic Zone in Gwadar,” he added.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a central part of the Belt and Road Initiative, under which Beijing has guaranteed a share of over $60 billion for groundwork projects in Pakistan, most of which is said to be in the form of loans. The project is part of China’s ambition to forge “Silk Road” land and sea connections to markets in the Middle East and Europe.
Mr. Ying Xiong, while addressing the event online said, “Even in the face of the severe impact of COVID-19, the CPEC projects still enjoy smooth operation,” further adding, “There is no stop of the CPEC projects construction, no job cut for Pakistani staff and no withdrawal of the Chinese workforce. The CPEC construction has bucked the trend with continuous new achievements.”
Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, hoped the CPEC would help consolidate China-Pakistan bilateral relations.
“It is hoped that the Chinese and Pakistani staff will cherish the opportunity, contribute to the construction of CPEC with practical actions, and continue to consolidate the ironclad friendship between the two countries,” he said.
Chian, Pakistan vow to tap the full potential of Gawadar Port
Separately, Pakistan and China agreed to redouble the efforts to get the full potential of Gwadar port and free zone under the mega project of CPEC.
Beijing and Islamabad also agreed to ensure the local population of Gwadar and surrounding areas get the maximum benefit from CEPEC developmental projects by utilizing the massive opportunities being created in various sectors.
The operation status of the CPEC projects in Gwadar and the course of action with regard to the development of Gwadar city, port, and the free zone was also discussed in the meeting of the Joint Working Groups on Gwadar and Socio-Economic Development.