Covid affected work pace on CPEC: Li Bijian

Karachi: Chinese Consul General in Karachi Li Bijian has said that work on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects was affected in the last few years due to Covid-19 not due to any policy.

Speaking to local media, Li Bijian ruled out claims that work on the CPEC, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), had slowed down over the past three and half a year.

“The work was slowed down due to Covid-19 pandemic and security issues. So-called claims that work paused due to the previous Pakistani government policies are baseless,” he remarked.

He also ruled out any disagreement between Pakistan and the Chinese governments. “China and Pakistan have always shared mutual trust, mutual understanding and mutual support, and are all-weather friends,” Li Bijan stressed.

“The change in policies affects the investment and the same thing is being seen in CPEC projects,” he said and expressed hope that all persisting issues would be resolved soon.

Li Bijian underscored that China was working on power projects in Pakistan and termed the security of Chinese officials in the country as satisfactory.

“There were some security issues regarding Chinese officials in two provinces of Pakistan but we are satisfied with the measures taken by federal and provincial government after recent incidents,” the senior Chinese diplomat commented.