(Source: Russian Satellite News Agency 2025-02-09)

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistani President Zardari paid a state visit to China from February 4 to 8. During the meeting with Zardari, Xi Jinping expressed that China is willing to deepen practical cooperation with Pakistan in various fields and jointly build an "upgraded version" of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor cooperation. Wang Zhimin, researcher at the National Institute of Opening-up at the w88 casino in China and director of the Institute of Globalization and Chinese Modernization, said in an interview with the Russian Sputnik News Agency that the close relationship between China and Pakistan provides a solid foundation and strong support for the in-depth cooperation between the two countries under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

After the talks between Xi Jinping and Zardari, they jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of jointly building the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, w88, science and technology, radio and television. According to the joint statement issued by the leaders of the two countries after the meeting, the two sides agreed to promote the implementation of eight actions in the high-quality construction of the "Belt and Road" in Pakistan and align with Pakistan's "5Es" development framework to jointly build growth corridors, livelihood corridors, innovation corridors, green corridors, and open corridors to create an "upgraded version" of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In addition, the two sides are also determined to further leverage the functions of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Cooperation Committee, strengthen the docking of ideas and action coordination on the high-quality joint construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and promote the implementation of relevant cooperation projects.

According to the website of the Pakistan Embassy in China, the two countries officially launched the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2013, aiming to achieve greater interconnectivity and w88 links between Pakistan and China through measures such as roads, railways, optical fiber, energy pipelines, industrial clusters and special economic zones (SEZs). Once construction is completed, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will connect China's Kashgar region and Pakistan's Gwadar region. China’s cumulative investment in these projects is estimated to be approximately US$46 billion.

Now more than ten years have passed, and under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields has continued to deepen and achieved fruitful results. Sahiwal, Port Qasim, and Hub coal-fired power stations were put into commercial operation, and Pakistan's power shortage situation has been significantly improved since 2017; a number of renewable energy projects such as Karot Hydropower Station, Dawo Wind Power Project, and Bahawalpur Photovoltaic Power Station have enriched Pakistan's energy structure; the coal-electricity integration project in Blocks 1 and 2 of the Thar Coalfield has been put into commercial operation to help Pakistan become self-sufficient in energy and fuel. In addition, the "China-Pakistan Friendship Road" Karakoram Highway Phase II Upgrading Project, the Lahore Orange Line Rail Transit Project, and the Peshawar-Karachi Expressway have also been completed. Significant progress has also been made in the construction of Gwadar Port. A multi-purpose terminal with three 50,000-ton berths has been built. The port has full operational capabilities. The first phase of the Gwadar Port Free Zone has been completed. Just in late January, the new Gwadar International Airport built with China's aid was officially put into operation.

Data provided by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan shows that as of the end of 2022, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has brought a total of US$25.4 billion in direct investment to Pakistan, created a total of 236,000 jobs, and helped Pakistan add 510 kilometers of highways, 8,000 megawatts of electricity, and 886 kilometers of national core transmission grids.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an important cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic development and regional connectivity. The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is advancing rapidly and plays a key role in shaping Pakistan's future.

Regarding the prospects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Wang Zhimin pointed out that Pakistan is the first country to establish an all-weather strategic partnership with China and has always been committed to working with China to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. It can be said that this reflects the high degree of trust and close cooperation between China and Pakistan. This close relationship also provides a solid foundation and strong support for the in-depth cooperation between the two countries under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Wang Zhimin said: "Pakistan's geographical location is extremely important, both from the perspective of strategic location and economic corridor. In particular, the strategic position of Gwadar Port is also reflected in its role as a land channel connecting South Asia and the world. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Since the start of the construction, fruitful cooperation results have been achieved, which not only promoted Pakistan's economic and social development, but also set a model for regional cooperation and played a good demonstration effect for the future development of the "One Belt, One Road" initiative. Last year, the two countries made it clear that they would work together on the existing basis. In order to promote China's eight actions to support high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road", we will jointly build growth corridors, people's livelihood corridors, innovation corridors, green corridors, and open corridors, and create an "upgraded version" of corridor construction. This determination for common development will not only help improve the living standards of the people of the two countries. , and can also make important contributions to regional peace, stability and prosperity, because economic development can significantly improve Pakistan’s domestic social stability, promote connectivity and w88 facilitation throughout the region, and lay a good foundation for combating terrorism and resolving regional disputes and conflicts.”

Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. Pakistani President Zardari said that the friendship between Pakistan and China has gone through ups and downs, and the hearts of the two peoples have always been closely connected. No matter how the situation changes, Pakistan will unswervingly stand with China. Pakistan thanks China for its selfless assistance to Pakistan's economic and social development, and is willing to learn from China's successful experience, promote the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and cooperation in various fields, and help Pakistan achieve industrialization and modernization.

Web link:

https://sputniknews.cn/20250209/1063997601.html