National Security Adviser Dr. Moeed Yusuf on Thursday said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a flagship project whose success was non-negotiable for both countries.
“Pakistan and China are moving in the same direction and synergizing their efforts to achieve the goal of peace and development in the region”, he said.
Moeed Yusuf was talking to the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, who called on him here at his office to discuss bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest, a press release issued here said.
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He that Pakistan and China have always enjoyed strong and close ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Pakistan and China have come even closer recently and were strategically aligned on the vision of growth and prosperity in the region, he added.
Moeed Yusuf remarked that CPEC fits perfectly with “Pakistan’s geo-economic paradigm that is now the vision of the government.”
It was a pleasure to host H.E. Ambassador Nong Rong yesterday, with our conversation centering on Pakistan and China's continued and prospering friendship, shared vision for development, economic partnership, and commitment to the flagship CPEC project. pic.twitter.com/KhkdEYeFvG
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) May 27, 2021
Ambassador Nong Rong vowed to continue building on the strong and long-lasting partnership between the two countries.
He appreciated the ongoing efforts to constantly improve the Pakistan-China relationship.
CPEC Project nearing completion
Addressing the reporters during his visit to Peshawar, Mr Nong Rong said that during its first stage the CPEC concentrated on energy and infrastructure projects which were successfully completed.
Nong Rong informed the reporters that energy projects built under the CPEC had been completed and China provided one-third of Pakistan’s electricity requirement during the Covid-19 pandemic at the lowest price. He also said that they were several other projects in the pipeline.
The ambassador further said that the CPEC’s infrastructure component Lahore’s Orange Line Metro had been completed and some cargo for Afghanistan was also coming through Gwadar port.
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Discussing the restrictions put in place due to Covid19, Nong Rong said that though Pakistani students couldn’t go to their classrooms in China, they could still attend their classes online. He was also appreciative of the cooperation between Pakistan and China on the provision of vaccine.
He said that he visited the Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and it was one of the most important CPEC projects.
APP with additional input by GVS News Desk