Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Sun Weidong has said that the relationship between China and Pakistan reached to new heights with substantive progress for the socio-economic uplift of their people, under the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC).

He was addressing a grand reception held to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the founding day of People’s Republic of China that falls on Oct 1.

He was speaking on great progress made in the development of China over the past 67 years, stressing that Chinese economy has entered into new normal and China continue to deepen reforms and expand opening-up. China is able and confident to maintain steady and relatively rapid development of its economy, that leads to peace and development not only in the region but whole of the world, he added.

He said China has achieved rapid economic growth and sustained livelihood improvement, besides it emerged the World second largest economy and created a miracle of development by China’s speed. “We pursue peaceful development. We maintain that all countries big or small are all equal. We advocate the opening up strategy of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation. We develop friendship and cooperation with all countries based on the five principles for peaceful Co-existence. We have made our solid contribution to the world peace and development”, he added.

Ambassador Sun Weidong further said the two brotherly countries should make joint efforts to further promote China-Pakistan friendship, realize our common dreams, and achieve the goal of shared destiny. He was confident that the two countries will continue to grow their socio-economic ties to meet the common aspirations of their people.

China and Pakistan are close and friendly neighbours, and all-weather strategic partners, the envoy said, adding that two peoples are not only friends, but also brothers. China-Pakistan friendship is deeply rooted in our hearts, and has become a noble belief with the passing of time.

“China and Pakistan are all weather strategic cooperative partners. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 65 years ago, china and Pakistan have always maintained mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support. No matter how the international and regional situations have changed, our friendship remains unbreakable and even gets stronger than before”, he maintained.

Ambassador said up to now, among the 30 early harvest projects, 16 have been completed or are under construction, with investment of nearly 14 billion US dollars. These projects have created thousands of job opportunities for the local people and brought great vitality to the development of Pakistan.

He said from the beginning, CPEC is a project designed to promote peoples livelihood. The ultimate goal for CPEC is to achieve economic progress, across the board. Like all the other projects under the Belt and Road initiative, CPEC is an open and inclusive cooperation concept. It is neither exclusive nor against any third party.

Ambassador also thanked government of Pakistan for promoting the construction of CPEC and providing safe environment for the Chinese people and institutions in Pakistan.

Since the successful state visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan last year. The all round cooperation between China and Pakistan has maintained strong momentum with substantive advancement. As the major and pilot project for the Belt and Road Initiative, china-Pakistan Economic Corridor has made significant progress.

Ambassador said up to now, among the 30 early harvest projects, 16 have been completed or are under construction, with investment of nearly 14 billion US dollars. These projects have created then of thousands of job opportunities for the local people and brought great vitality to the development of Pakistan.

Speaker National Assembly in his address reciprocated the warm sentiments of the Chinese ambassador, who he said made dedicated efforts working day and night to carry forward their time-tested and deep-rooted friendship. The two countries, he said are moving ahead with meaningful cooperation in all fields of mutual interest. He lauded the Chinese leadership concept of one road, one belt and said it is great hope for a better future tomorrow. He reiterated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s commitment to keep their relationship ever-growing that helps to improve living conditions of their people.

Nearly 1,000 people from all walks of life including senior military and civilian officials, besides a large number of diplomats attended the impressive reception that includes a performance by the Chinese artists.

Prominent dignitaries include Governor Punjab Rafiq Rajwana, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister of State Frontier Region Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baluch, Deputy Chairman Senate Abdul Ghafoor Haidry, Chief of Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Sirajul Haq, former interior minister Rehman Malik, PPP leaders Sherry Reman and Latif Khosa, Chairman NAB Qamar Zaman and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed.

At the outset, national anthems of Pakistan and China were played and a cake was also cut by the dignitaries present on the stage.