CPEC an engine of socio-economic progress: Chinese envoy

ISLAMABAD, Aug 14 (DNA): China’ s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed his country’ s strong commitment to deepening agricultural and industrial cooperation with Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, describing the initiative as a “symbol of friendship and an engine of socio-economic progress.”

Speaking here at a seminar on ‘CPEC in my eyes’ attended by senior government officials, business leaders, academics, and stakeholders from both nations, Ambassador Jiang underlined the flagship Belt and Road Initiative’s far-reaching impact in Pakistan, Gwadar Pro reported.

He credited CPEC with upgrading infrastructure, generating employment, and laying the foundation for sustained industrial expansion.

The envoy emphasised that both countries are now moving into the second phase of the corridor, which will prioritise industrial cooperation, modern agricultural practices, and sustainable development. 

He expressed confidence in Pakistan’s agricultural potential, noting that joint ventures in advanced technology and high-quality production have already produced promising results.

Also addressing the seminar, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Syedaal Khan hailed CPEC as a “landmark of shared destiny” between the two nations. 

He stressed that the project goes beyond physical infrastructure to embody hope, partnership, and collective prosperity. 

Since its launch in 2015, he said, CPEC has generated over 236,000 jobs, added more than 8,000 megawatts to Pakistan’s national grid, and significantly upgraded transport and logistics networks.

Representing Balochistan, Syedaal Khan described Gwadar as the “heart and gateway” of CPEC, a development hub poised to bring economic opportunities to the province, the country, and the wider region. 

He pointed to special economic zones, skills development initiatives, and industrial ventures as vehicles for reducing regional disparities.

Calling for deeper private-sector collaboration, enhanced technology transfer, and greater industrial output, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to ensure that the dividends of CPEC are equitably shared across all provinces and generations. 

“Our goal,” he concluded, “is to position Pakistan as a regional trade and development hub under the enduring spirit of Pakistan–China cooperation.”