Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Friday said that his country was closely working with Pakistan to implement economic corridor project that will bring socio-economic benefits to the people of both countries.
Highlighting the significance of CPEC at a book launching ceremony held here, he said it was a unique project in Pakistan-China relationship that is meant to improve the living conditions of the people.
The CPEC will be a source of rapid development in all areas of Pakistan, he said.
The ceremony was organised by Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) for launching of a book titled China’s Stories, China’s Success- How China transformed itself in the past 40 years, written by SM Hali. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and ISSI Director General Masood Khan also spoke on the occasion. Minister of Planning, National Reforms and Development Ahsan Iqbal was the chief guest on the occasion.
The ambassador said that the Chinese leadership was committed to providing a better living to their people. China will focus on its main target which is the economic development of the country as this will not only bring welfare to the people of China but will also contribute to world peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large, he said.
The ambassador acknowledged that poverty alleviation is a difficult task for the Chinese government, which is determined to address it with full resolve. China is a peace-loving country, but it is capable of defending itself against any aggression. The ambassador appreciated the book author for introducing modern China in a very impressive way.
Ahsan Iqbal termed the CPEC a game-changer project and said the credit went to the leadership of both countries who, in a short span of time, have transformed a mere an idea into a huge project worth $46 billion. All the reservations on the CPEC project have been removed by the government and now there is a complete consensus and unity among all the political parties on the CPEC. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also expressed their complete confidence over the project of national importance, he added.
This project of national importance signed in 2013 had been materialised within two years with the efforts of leadership. The US$ 46 billion investment from the Chinese government within two years is reflective of time-tested friendship, he added.
The minister said: “We are ahead of time‑frame given for the implementation of the project.” He expressed the confidence that Pakistan will become top 10 economies of the world as indicated in Vision 2025.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed hoped that the CPEC would lead to economic stability in the country adding that the project would unite the federation of Pakistan through progress and prosperity in various fields of economic and social development.
The CPEC would connect around 65 countries with Gwadar and ensure economic revolution in the region. Pakistan and China have supported each others in difficult times, he added.