CPEC a transformational project for Pak-China economies, says Mamoon Hussian
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project in the new phase of relationship between the two countries.
By linking the Gwadar port via the Karakoram Highway with Xinjiang, the CPEC would be a transformational project for economies of the two countries, he added.
The President was talking to a delegation of former Chinese ambassadors and diplomats headed by Lu Shulin, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.
He underlined that CPEC would complement the Chinese government’s strategy for developing China’s inland provinces, and dovetail perfectly with President Xi Jinping’s vision of “One Belt, One Road”, said a press release.
The President said that as an engine for economic integration, the Economic Corridor could be a game-changer for the whole region.
Significant progress had already been made in implementing this  monumental project.
He said the leadership transitions in Pakistan and China had opened a new chapter of cooperation in relationship of both the countries.
The governments, he said, had reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries and also sought to redefine the relationship by putting economic cooperation at the centre of the bilateral agenda.
The President said that Pakistan was proud of its historic association with the people of China.
Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China and since then the relationship of the two countries had grown into a strategic partnership that benefitted both the nations in diplomatic, economic and security spheres, he
added.
The President said that the people of Pakistan and China had always stood shoulder to shoulder through every trial and tribulation.
“The warmth in bilateral ties at the government-to-government level is matched by cordial relations and cooperation between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and all major political parties of Pakistan,” he added.
He said that above all, Pakistan-China relationship was founded on absolute convergence of interest that found expression on united and principled stance on a host of international and regional issues.
The President noted that most of the visiting members of delegation had served in Pakistan in various capacities and appreciated their contributions in cementing Pakistan-China ties.
He said that their visit to Pakistan was an important step forward in strengthening people-to-people and cultural ties.
The President emphasized for deepening and expanding the cultural relations and in the era of globalization, it was very important to project and promote the cultural identities.
He appreciated the book “You and Us: Stories of China and Pakistan”, written by Ambassador Lu Shulin noting that this was an important initiative and a valuable contribution towards promotion of the soft image of Pakistan in particular and Pak-China relations
in general and suggested that its Urdu version should also be launched.
Source: APP
