Most recently, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has completed its ten years. During the last decade, the CPEC has transformed economic outlook, industrial capacity, energy generation potential, social development, infrastructure development and last but not the least, formation of special economic zones in the country contributing an important role in the overall GDP. According to Chinese figures, it encompasses more than USD 25 billion worth of projects, ranging from energy to infrastructure and information technology in the country.
The CPEC has now entered into its second decade of operations in Pakistan. It is good omen that the leadership of both countries are sincerely committed to initiate the CPEC Phase-II in the country so that socio-economic dividends of its Phase-I would be further continued, strengthened and translated as soon as possible.
Frankly speaking, the CPEC has already further enhanced volumes of FDIs, trade volumes, industrial cooperation, socio-economic ties and, last but not the least, political consultation between the two countries which remained productive and participatory during the last decade and prospects are very healthy in the days to come.
Despite the western false and fake propaganda and unethical diplomatic pressure, the Pakistani government stood firm with the good cause of the CPEC which has now become a ray of hope for the stability and sustainability of its macro-economy and its recovery in the days to come.
Furthermore, the most recently held 12th JCC meeting in Beijing proved positive, productive pledging mutual spirits of integrated participation, meaningful cooperation and last but not the least, futuristic collaboration between the two countries.
During the 12th JCC, a sense of mutual satisfaction on the ongoing projects of the CPEC and mutual appreciation about the splendid achievements of the CPEC during the last decade showing high levels of mutual trust, cooperation and coordination between the two countries. Moreover, mutual consensus on the future course of action, joint ventures, plans and projects comprising immense social development, industrialization, building of SEZs and last but not the least, extended cooperation in health, education and agriculture sectors also clearly demonstrates sense of mutual comfort, continuity of socio-economic ties, fruitful political consultation and diplomatic means translating the success of the CPEC Phase-I into new era in the days to come. Moreover, holding of joint business meetings also strongly indicates huge business, investment, innovation, digitalization and e-commerce scope between the two countries and private companies alike between the two countries.
During his recent visit to China, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal highly appreciated the Chinese government’s commitment to the CPEC which is the flagship project of BRI. It suggests that both countries will benefit from greater Chinese investment in Pakistan. It will also facilitate supply chain mechanism in the country. It would not only support Pakistan’s economy but also provide an avenue for Chinese companies to sell products manufactured in Pakistan in the Chinese market and elsewhere in the world.
During his stay, Ahsan Iqbal met different important businessmen, investors and organizations reaffirming Pakistan’s government commitments to further foster economic and business ties between the governments and private sectors respectively. He met with Chen Diming, Chairman of China Apollo Holding Group, Xu Hao, senior representative of China Ocean Engineering Construction Company and Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) in Beijing and highlighted key projects that have been completed since the launch of CPEC a decade ago.
He co-chaired the 12th JCC of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Vice Chairman National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC), China Mr. Cong Liang at the NDRC office, indicating strong message of iron-clad strategic partnership, openness, inclusiveness forging qualitative modernization and industrialization between the two countries.
The 12th JCC has become a future road-map for policy makers, business community and investors of both the countries. Since this event has explored new avenues of cooperation and chart the future course for the CPEC in emerging sectors during the meeting so scope of inflows of the FDIs, joint ventures and innovations are high. Discussion of ML-I project and other mega projects are good omen for both the countries.
The successful holding of the 12th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting of the CPEC shows Pakistan’s readiness to work with China to promote high-quality development of the CPEC and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields. Definitely, Pakistan will do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan.
Most recently, while meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Paris, the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang reassured China’s full support to Pakistan’s stability, development and prosperity which would further enhance bilateral relations and of course CPEC development.
Moreover, Li Qiang reaffirmed China’s sincere efforts to further enhance Belt and Road cooperation with Pakistan to jointly advance major projects under the CPEC, promote high-quality development of the corridor and better contribute to the economic and social development of the two countries. It would further foster CPEC Phase-II in the country.
Last but not the least, China’s support to Pakistan to accelerate economic development and enhance its capacity for sustainable development always holds strategic significance in terms of socio-economic integration, regional connectivity, energy cooperation and building of integrated and coordinated infrastructural developments and transport & communication systems in the country.
Sincere efforts must be initiated to effectively initiate a hybrid safety and security model in the country to safeguard the vested interests of the Chinese workers, investors and projects of the CPEC.
