Pakistan and China celebrate CPEC’s 10th anniversary

ISLAMABAD, Aug 1 – On Monday afternoon, Pakistan and China celebrated the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Islamabad. A special event was meticulously organized to commemorate the completion of the first decade of this vital initiative. Distinguished leaders from both countries, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping’s Special Representative, Vice Premier He Lifeng, graced the ceremony with their presence.

During the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Vice Premier He Lifeng lauded CPEC for its profound positive impact on Pakistan’s socio-economic development and the progress of both nations. They underscored that, as the flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC has notably transformed Pakistan’s economic landscape by effectively addressing critical infrastructure challenges and power shortages.

Expressing their contentment with CPEC’s achievements, both leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to build upon the progress of the last decade and foster continued cooperation to elevate CPEC to exemplify the highest standards of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The ceremony also acknowledged the exceptional efforts of Pakistani and Chinese experts, engineers, and workers for their commendable contributions to the timely completion of all CPEC projects in Pakistan.

Vice Premier He Lifeng conveyed a special message from President Xi Jinping, congratulating the government and people of Pakistan on the successful completion of the first decade of CPEC.

To commemorate the significance of this milestone, a special Postal Stamp, Commemorative Coin, and First Day Cover were issued. Additionally, both sides unveiled a memento to celebrate the achievements made during the first decade of CPEC and to envision its future potential.

The event artfully showcased various aspects of Pakistan’s diverse and progressive culture, emphasizing the deep civilizational affinity and fraternal ties between Pakistan and China.

Having commenced in 2013 following the Chinese Premier’s visit to Pakistan, CPEC has witnessed the successful completion of multiple projects in energy, transport infrastructure, port/airport development, and digital connectivity over the past ten years.

The substantial benefits of CPEC for Pakistan include the creation of over 200,000 jobs, the addition of 8,000 MW of power to the national grid, the construction of 510 kilometers of highways and 932 kilometers of road network, and the laying of an 820-kilometer-long optical fiber line.

Under Phase-II of CPEC, both countries have expanded their cooperation into new areas, such as rural revitalization, agricultural development, industrialization, green development, and science and technology.