ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are celebrating 10th anniversary of Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Monday (today), and a special ceremony was organized in Islamabad in this regard. High-level leadership from both countries including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative, and the Vice Premier of the State Council of China Mr. He Lifeng attended the auspicious event.
Senior Ministers of Pakistan and China, top-ranking officials from both countries, and corporate executives of leading Chinese companies working in Pakistan also attended the event.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng paid rich tribute to CPEC for its positive contribution to the socio economic development of Pakistan, and progress and prosperity of the peoples of the two states. They highlighted that as the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC has transformed the economic landscape of Pakistan by removing infrastructure hurdles and eliminating power shortages.
Pak-China cooperation
Expressing satisfaction at the great achievements of CPEC, both leaders expressed their firm commitment to build upon the successes of the last decade, and bolster their cooperation for further developing it as a high-standard demonstrable project of BRI.
The leadership of both countries also lauded the endeavours of Pakistani and Chinese experts, engineers and workers for their meritorious contribution to timely completion of all CPEC projects in Pakistan.
At the occasion, Vice Premier He Lifeng also read a special message of President Xi Jinping, felicitating Pakistan on the completion of the first Decade of CPEC.
To mark the importance of the occasion, a special Postal Stamp, Commemorative Coin and First Day Cover, were also issued. Both sides also unveiled a first Decade of CPEC memento capturing the achievements made and the futuristic vision of CPEC.
During the event, special performances were organized to display multiple facets of Pakistan’s pluralistic and progressive culture; and to highlight civilizational affinity and fraternal ties between Pakistan and China.
It may be recalled that Pakistan and China had kicked off CPEC projects in 2013, after the visit of the Chinese Premier to Pakistan. Under the rubric of CPEC, the two countries initiated and completed multiple projects in the past ten years in the energy, transport infrastructure, port/airport development and digital connectivity.
CPEC brought huge dividends to Pakistan as manifested in the creation of over 200,000 jobs; addition of 8000 MW power to national grid; building of 510 kilometers of highways and 932 kilometers of road network; and laying of 820-kilometer long optical fiber line.
Under Phase-II of CPEC, both countries have expanded cooperation to new areas including rural revitalization; agricultural development; industrialization; green development and science and technology.
