Ready to build ‘upgraded version’ of CPEC: Jiang Zaidong
Celina Ali
Islamabad: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said this week that Beijing was ready to deepen trade and investment cooperation with Pakistan and build an “upgraded version” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is growth-oriented, innovative, livelihood-enhancing, green and inclusive.
Addressing the National Day Reception, Zaidong said that they are ready to work with friends from all walks of life in China and Pakistan, by implementing the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Pakistani leaders as the guiding principle.
Beijing is ready to build “a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era as the main line, and promoting high-quality development of CPEC as the major platform, to continuously consolidate, deepen and expand China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperation, to safeguard our common interests in the centennial change, and better benefit the two countries and our peoples,” he added
“To this end, we are ready to work with Pakistan to well prepare Pakistani leaders’ visits to China for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and hope it will further enhance political mutual trust, strengthen strategic synergy, and promote the implementation of the global development initiative, the global security initiative and the global civilisation initiative in Pakistan.”
The ambassador further said that they will assist Pakistan to transform its resource advantages into financial gains and development impetus, and constantly improve its ability to cope with short-term economic difficulties and achieve long-term independent development.
He expressed China’s readiness to work with Pakistan to balance development and security, promote security cooperation and economic cooperation together, like the two wheels of the bike going round and round, and earnestly protect people’s lives, property and legitimate rights and interests.
“We are ready to work with Pakistan to firmly support each other on issues of mutual core interests and major concerns, earnestly uphold international fairness and justice, and provide greater certainty and inject more positive energy into peace and development of the region and the world, he added.
The Chinese ambassador said that they look forward to discussing cooperation and seeking common development with Pakistan and other partners.
Ambassador Zaidong said that they gathered there to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with great joy.
