Pakistan and China celebrate CPEC’s 10th anniversary

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Pakistan and China celebrated China -Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 10th anniversary.

A special event was organised in Islamabad to mark the completion of the first decade of the CPEC. Distinguished leaders from Pakistan and China, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative, Vice Premier He Lifeng, attended the ceremony.

During the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Vice Premier He Lifeng praised CPEC for its positive impact on Pakistan’s socio-economic development and the progress of both nations. They emphasized that as the flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC has significantly transformed Pakistan’s economic landscape by addressing infrastructure challenges and power shortages.

Expressing satisfaction with CPEC’s achievements, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to build upon the progress of the last decade and continue cooperation to further develop CPEC as a high-quality exemplar of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The event also recognized the efforts of Pakistani and Chinese experts, engineers, and workers for their commendable contributions to the timely completion of all CPEC projects in Pakistan.

Vice Premier He Lifeng conveyed a special message from President Xi Jinping, congratulating the government and people of Pakistan on the successful completion of the first decade of CPEC.

To mark the significance of the occasion, a special Postal Stamp, Commemorative Coin, and First Day Cover were issued. Additionally, both sides unveiled a memento celebrating the achievements made during the first decade of CPEC and its future vision.

The event showcased various aspects of Pakistan’s diverse and progressive culture, emphasizing the deep civilizational affinity and fraternal ties between Pakistan and China.

CPEC, which commenced in 2013 following the Chinese Premier’s visit to Pakistan, has witnessed the successful completion of multiple projects in energy, transport infrastructure, port/airport development, and digital connectivity over the past ten years.

The substantial benefits of CPEC for Pakistan include the creation of over 200,000 jobs, the addition of 8000 MW of power to the national grid, the construction of 510 kilometers of highways and 932 kilometers of road network, and the laying of an 820-kilometer-long optical fiber line.

Under Phase-II of CPEC, both countries have expanded cooperation into new areas, such as rural revitalization, agricultural development, industrialization, green development, and science and technology.