China to support Pakistan’s transformation from geo politics to geo economic pivot: Envoy

Islamabad: China has expressed the resolve to continue supporting Pakistan’s transformation from geo politics to a geo economic pivot to enhance regional connectivity and economic and trade cooperation.

This resolve was expressed by Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong has during an interview, on the occasion of 70 anniversary of Pak-China diplomatic relations, Friday.

He said both countries share a common vision and are committed to changing destiny of the region and jointly safeguarding peace, development and prosperity. He said the cooperation between the two countries benefits the whole region and the world.

The Ambassador said over the years, the two sides have carried out great deal of pragmatic cooperation based on the principle of mutual benefit. He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an important project of the Belt and Road Initiative and for all-weather cooperation between the two countries. He said 46 CPEC have so far either been completed or under construction with a total investment of 25.4 billion dollars.

Nong Rong further said that CPEC created 75,000 jobs for Pakistani citizens and scope of cooperation under CPEC is being expanding. He said now CPEC entered into a new stage featuring high quality development and the focus is on industry, agriculture, science and technology. He said we are increasing cooperation in areas related to people’s livelihood by implementing projects under CPEC.

Talking about development projects in Balochistan, Nong Rong said New Gwadar International Airport is under construction and East Bay Expressway will be completed by October this year which will greatly improve regional connectivity. He said Pakistan China Vocational and Technical Institute in Gwadar will be completed in September this year, while Pak-China Friendship Hospital be expanded from 50 beds to 150 beds in Gwadar.

The Ambassador said China will continue to provide favorable conditions for the companies of the two countries to further explore each other’s market and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.

Regarding educational exchanges between the two countries, he said scholarships for Pakistani students are being increased enabling them to study and have research in leading Chinese universities.

Answering a question, the Chinese dignitary said his country will continue working with Pakistan to promote Peace Process in Afghanistan as well as to maintain regional peace and stability. He said Pakistan and China will cooperate in jointly responding to security threats and propaganda against their and safeguarding the common interests of the two countries.