Zhao Shiren Consul General of the People's Republic of China
China and Pakistan enjoy all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, which is not only unique and time-tested, but also grows from strength to strength with each passing day. Both the countries stand by each other and render mutual support on bilateral and multilateral fora. China values its long-standing friendship with Pakistan and is committed to further developing the bilateral ties no matter how the international landscape changes. The Chinese and the Pakistanis are working together to build an even closer and stronger community with a shared future in a new era.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the shining example and exemplary hallmark of the deepening China-Pakistan friendship and partnership. Being the key component and signature project of the Belt and Road Initiative launched by President Xi Jinping of China in 2013, CPEC has been showcasing China’s unswerving commitment to and unflinching support of the development of Pakistan.
CPEC has been a catalyst and a driving force for Pakistan’s socioeconomic transformation. The decade-long development of CPEC, by covering Gwadar, energy, infrastructure and people to people exchanges, has yielded fruitful early harvest, and made significant contribution to tackling Pakistan’s infrastructural and power deficits, uplifting Gwadar into a business hub and modern metropolis, improving people’s well-being and enhancing regional connectivity. China has so far invested more than $ 25 billion in CPEC-related projects, and created 23, 6000 jobs and employed 155, 000 local people by the end of 2022. Thirteen power generation projects with a total installed capacity of 8020 MW and one HVDC transmission line with evacuation capacity of 4000 MW have achieved their commercial operation.
This year marks the ten-year development of the BRI and CPEC. In jointly celebrating the anniversary, President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng made his special visit to Pakistan in July. Both sides signed six new MOUs aiming for further collaboration. The third High-level International Forum on Belt and Road Initiative will be held in Beijing late this year, a major diplomatic initiative by China to further lift the BRI and the CPEC to a new height. More focus will be given and resources allocated to the industrial development, special economic zones, agricultural cooperation, renewable energy, information technology and many more areas. The Mainline-1 rail project is also set to pick up pace. Going forward, CPEC will continue to help Pakistan progress and strive for a high-quality and sustainable development.
CPEC, like BRI, is for regional connectivity, peace and development. It has no hidden agenda, nor has it any geo-strategic ambition or military dimension. By providing the biggest public good to international community and implementing the mega project, China wants the shared growth, progress and common prosperity for all, especially for the Global South and the developing countries. In this sense, CPEC should be deemed as a joint venture, a shared undertaking and a common endeavor for both China and Pakistan and is open to regional countries.
CPEC, with a glowing future ahead, has also a high stake in the second-phase development. It is no denying that some elements out there are not happy to see the progress of the CPEC, nor are they pleased to see the phenomenal development of China-Pakistan bilateral relations. Together makes difference. China and Pakistan should make more efforts to further align the development strategies, and do the right narrative to counter the negative propaganda on CPEC, making it more resilient, vibrant and sustainable. Pakistan is advised to take the driver’s seat to do more in this regard, while China has always got Pakistan’s back and sincerely wishes her peace, harmony, growth and prosperity.
