Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong and the Chairman & CEO of Pakistan Observer Faisal Zahid Malik discussing matters of interest at Karachi Consulate.—PO photo by Nauman
Zubair Yaqoob Karachi
Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong said Chinese projects are people-centric and would solidify the economic foundations of Pakistan, adding that the CPEC will prove to be a livelihood-enhancing corridor where new technology would be used to make the project more sustainable and environment and climate-friendly.
While a dignified welcome with warm shake hand with Chairman & CEO Faisal Zahid Malik at the consulate, CG Yang Yundong said that Pakistan is more like a home for Chinese people, we respect their love and hospitality. “Pakistan and China achieved concrete progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is paving the foundation of sustainable development and economic growth of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan started reaping the benefits of the CPEC journey as several major projects have been completed while many more were in the completion process,” CG added.
During the discussion on Pakistan-China relations and the CPEC, the CG Yang Yundong said the Gwadar Port had become operational for a few years, free zones were also in operation while the New Gwadar International Airport ( In Progress) , Sukkur – Multan Motorway and other major projects have been completed or are partially completed under the Economic Corridor. The Consul General further said the Havalian-Thakot section of Karakoram Highway, Hakla-DI Khan Motorway, Optical Cable, Eastern Expressway and Orange Line Metro Train Lahore projects were also completed which had started giving fruits to the common men. He said that so far 14 energy projects including the Qasim Port Coal Power plant, Hub Coal power plant and Thar Coal power plant have been completed and the people of Pakistan were reaping the benefits of the projects.
He informed that in Gwadar, the Pak China Friendship Hospital project and China Aid Seawater Desalination plant were also completed and inaugurated for the facilitation of the people of the area. The Consul General Yang Yundong said that over 30000 Pakistani students were getting education in Chinese universities, colleges and other educational institutions. It is pertinent to note here that apart from the above projects, several solar, wind and hydro power plants were completed, and the electricity was being generated from them these projects are contributing to the socio-economic stability of Pakistan.
He said that Chinese companies made sizeable investments in the project that had become operational, and power generated from the project was being added to the national grid. Due to its dependence on local mineral resources rather than on imported ones, the Thar Coal project will provide sustainable foundations for the country’s economic growth. Yang Yundong expressed his satisfaction on the completion of the Sukkur- Multan Motorway, the travel time had reduced from 11 hours to less than 5 hours while the Lahore Orange Line Metro project has also been put into operation and several Industrial and Special Economic Zones became operational under the Corridor projects, attracting investment from China and other countries.
Acknowledging the far-reaching cooperation from China for the development projects in Pakistan, the Chairman & CEO Pakistan Observer Faisal Zahid Malik said the reason Pakistan always reciprocate when and where needed by China, adding that the lasting friendship between Pakistan-China stand firm with Euphoria. During the meeting both the dignitaries discussed Kashmir-Palestine issues, person-to-person contacts, tourism and media exchange programs between the two countries.
Endorsing Pakistan Observer and contributions towards journalism, the Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong presented shield to the Chairman & CEO Pakistan Observer Faisal Zahid Malik.
