ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China Open Doors to Third-Party Participation in CPEC and Unveil New Corridors
In a significant development, Pakistan and China have agreed to extend invitations to third-party participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative. Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Moinul Haque, made this announcement, emphasizing the ongoing expansion of the CPEC framework to include Afghanistan. This revelation comes just ahead of the maiden visit of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to China and the commencement of the third Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) international conference in Beijing.
Ambassador Haque highlighted the creation of new corridors within CPEC, such as the China-Pakistan Digital Corridor, Green Corridor, and Health Corridor. These corridors aim to harness emerging opportunities in the fields of science, technology, and Information Technology (IT). He acknowledged China’s global leadership in technologies like artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and green technologies, making these sectors a crucial focus for the second phase of the initiative. Joint working groups have been established to facilitate cooperation in these areas.
Speaking about transportation projects, Ambassador Haque mentioned the Lahore Orange Line Train as one of the first early harvest projects under CPEC. This project, located in Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city with a population exceeding 10 million, has already served over 100 million passengers.
The energy sector has been a major focus of CPEC, addressing Pakistan’s previous energy shortages and prolonged load-shedding. The initiative has injected approximately 8,000 megawatts of new energy into Pakistan’s system, catering to both domestic and industrial needs.
Ambassador Haque highlighted the strategic significance of the Gwadar port project, which offers a crucial and efficient route to the Arabian Sea for Central Asian landlocked countries. This development is expected to benefit not only Pakistan but also regional countries.
In terms of bilateral relations, Ambassador Haque underscored the deep friendship between Pakistan and China, describing China as Pakistan’s best friend. He also mentioned that Pakistani students in China, numbering over 25,000, play a vital role as ambassadors of the China-Pakistan friendship.
The Ambassador emphasized that CPEC is a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and a game-changer for Pakistan’s socio-economic development. It is poised to bring about significant positive changes, not only for Pakistan but also for the entire region.
Beyond economic cooperation, both countries are actively promoting cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges. These efforts further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between Pakistan and China, reinforcing their status as “iron brothers.”
In summary, the decision to open CPEC to third-party participation, along with the unveiling of new corridors and significant developments in various sectors, underscores the enduring and mutually beneficial partnership between Pakistan and China, promising brighter prospects for regional development and cooperation.
