China and Pakistan celebrated the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a ceremony to mark the progress made since its launch in 2013. The celebration was kept simple out of respect for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Bajaur.
During the ceremony, six new documents were signed for joint cooperation between the two countries. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, representing President Xi Jinping, was awarded the Hilal-i-Pakistan award and held meetings with President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
At the ceremony held at the Prime Minister House, agreements were signed on the Joint Cooperation Committee on CPEC, establishing an export exchange mechanism, phytosanitary requirements for the export of dry chillies to China, and a feasibility study for the Karakoram Highway Phase-II realignment. Additionally, an MoU on the industrial workers exchange program and minutes of the ML-1 project’s technical committee conference were signed.
In his speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the achievements of CPEC over the past decade, with over $25 billion invested in various sectors. He announced the commencement of the second phase, focusing on B2B investments in agriculture and information technology to meet Chinese standards.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the significance of the ML-1 railway track and the Karachi Circular Railway projects, expressing hope that they would boost Pakistan’s self-sufficiency through joint efforts with China.
Before the ceremony, the Prime Minister and the Chinese Vice Premier expressed satisfaction with the steady development of CPEC projects and reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the shared objectives of CPEC.
President Arif Alvi conferred the Hilal-i-Pakistan award upon Vice Premier He Lifeng during a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-i-Sadr. They discussed the transformative impact of CPEC on Pakistan’s socio-economic and infrastructural landscape, and President Alvi urged increased Chinese investment, particularly in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), to enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
The celebrations were kept simple to mourn the victims of the Bajaur terrorist attack, and a cultural show that was part of the event was canceled as per the Prime Minister’s direction.
In addition to the anniversary celebrations, the Bank of China (BOC) opened its second branch in Islamabad, and the Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Ishar Dar, stated that the renminbi (RMB) was on its way to becoming an internationally accepted parallel currency.
The ceremony marked the progress and achievements of CPEC and showcased the strong strategic partnership and friendship between China and Pakistan. Both countries expressed their commitment to further expanding the project to bring greater prosperity and development to Pakistan and the entire region.
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add this also EIJING: President Xi Jinping has reiterated China’s unwavering support to Pakistan, saying: “No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan”.
He made the remarks in a congratulatory message to the decade of CPEC celebration event held in Islamabad on Monday which was also attended by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng — who is on a three-day visit to Pakistan.
Speaking about the bilateral ties, President Xi stressed that both countries will continue to improve overall planning and expand and deepen cooperation.
Pointing out that CPEC is an important pioneering project of the Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said that China will work with Pakistan to further build CPEC into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
He added that both countries will work to aim for high-standard, sustainable and livelihood-enhancing outcomes.
“Since its launch in 2013, China and Pakistan have been advancing CPEC under the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and have achieved a number of early harvests,” he added.
This has added new impetus to the economic and social development of Pakistan and laid a good foundation for regional connectivity and integration, he said, adding that it is a vivid testament to the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan, and provides an important underpinning for building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
Xi added China and Pakistan will continue to work hand in hand and forge ahead in solidarity to carry forward the ironclad friendship, coordinate development and security, pursue the cooperation of higher standards, broader scope and greater depth, and take the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, so as to make an even greater contribution to peace and prosperity in the two countries and the broader region.
Earlier today, the two nations signed six agreements and MOUs aiming to promote bilateral cooperation.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and China’s National Development and Reforms Commission Vice Chairman signed the document on the joint cooperation committee of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The second document was related to establishing an experts’ exchange mechanism within the framework of CPEC.
The third document was signed by Secretary Ministry of National Food Security Zafar Hassan and the Chinese Charge D’Affaires Pang Chunxue to export dried Chillies from Pakistan to China.
Member Planning of National Highway Authority Asim Amin and Chunxue signed the fourth document on the realignment of the Karakoram Highway Phase II project feasibility study.
The two sides also signed the MOU on Industrial Workers’ Exchange Program through diplomatic channels. They also sides agreed to promote the strategic ML-1 project.
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In Beijing, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s steadfast support to Pakistan, assuring that China would stand firmly with Pakistan despite any changes in the international landscape. President Xi conveyed this message in a congratulatory message sent to the decade of CPEC celebration event in Islamabad. The event was attended by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who was on a three-day visit to Pakistan.
President Xi emphasized the importance of bilateral ties and the need to continue improving overall planning and expanding cooperation between China and Pakistan. He regarded CPEC as a crucial pioneering project of the Belt and Road cooperation and expressed China’s commitment to working with Pakistan to further develop CPEC into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The focus would be on achieving high-standard, sustainable, and livelihood-enhancing outcomes.
Since its launch in 2013, CPEC has been advancing with the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, leading to significant early achievements. President Xi noted that CPEC had brought new impetus to Pakistan’s economic and social development, laying a solid foundation for regional connectivity and integration. He praised CPEC as a testament to the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan, contributing to building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
President Xi pledged that China and Pakistan would continue working together in solidarity to uphold their ironclad friendship, coordinate development and security efforts, enhance cooperation with higher standards, broader scope, and greater depth. This commitment aims to elevate the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, fostering peace and prosperity not only in both countries but also in the broader region.
During the celebrations in Islamabad, the two nations signed six agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to promote bilateral cooperation. Among these agreements were documents related to the Joint Cooperation Committee of CPEC, establishing an experts’ exchange mechanism, exporting dried chillies from Pakistan to China, and the feasibility study of the Karakoram Highway Phase II realignment. Additionally, an MOU on the Industrial Workers’ Exchange Program and promoting the strategic ML-1 project were also agreed upon.
The signing of these agreements and MOUs exemplified the continued commitment of both countries to strengthen their economic and strategic ties through the second phase of CPEC, with a focus on further development and progress.
In Beijing, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s steadfast support to Pakistan, assuring that China would stand firmly with Pakistan despite any changes in the international landscape. President Xi conveyed this message in a congratulatory message sent to the decade of CPEC celebration event in Islamabad. The event was attended by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who was on a three-day visit to Pakistan.
President Xi emphasized the importance of bilateral ties and the need to continue improving overall planning and expanding cooperation between China and Pakistan. He regarded CPEC as a crucial pioneering project of the Belt and Road cooperation and expressed China’s commitment to working with Pakistan to further develop CPEC into an exemplary project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The focus would be on achieving high-standard, sustainable, and livelihood-enhancing outcomes.
Since its launch in 2013, CPEC has been advancing with the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, leading to significant early achievements. President Xi noted that CPEC had brought new impetus to Pakistan’s economic and social development, laying a solid foundation for regional connectivity and integration. He praised CPEC as a testament to the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan, contributing to building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
President Xi pledged that China and Pakistan would continue working together in solidarity to uphold their ironclad friendship, coordinate development and security efforts, enhance cooperation with higher standards, broader scope, and greater depth. This commitment aims to elevate the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights, fostering peace and prosperity not only in both countries but also in the broader region.
During the celebrations in Islamabad, the two nations signed six agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to promote bilateral cooperation. Among these agreements were documents related to the Joint Cooperation Committee of CPEC, establishing an experts’ exchange mechanism, exporting dried chillies from Pakistan to China, and the feasibility study of the Karakoram Highway Phase II realignment. Additionally, an MOU on the Industrial Workers’ Exchange Program and promoting the strategic ML-1 project were also agreed upon.
The signing of these agreements and MOUs exemplified the continued commitment of both countries to strengthen their economic and strategic ties through the second phase of CPEC, with a focus on further development and progress.
July 31, August 1, 2023
Sources: Dawn,