Attempts to sabotage CPEC must be thwarted: Ebad

Karachi

The Sindh governor said on Sunday that the Pak-China friendship is higher than the Himalayas and deeper than the ocean and has progressed even in the most testing of times as it was based on mutual respect and sincerity.

Talking to a delegation of Xinjang and Uygur autonomous region (XUAR) of China led by Political Bureau of Communist Party Central Committee members and party head of the region Zhang Chunzxian, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad said the people of both countries loved each other from the core of their hearts and had supported each other in times of need.

Coastal development minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro, chief secretary Muhammad Siddique Memon, principal secretary to the governor Muhammad Hussain Syed, and IGP AD Khawaja were also present on the occasion.

The governor said the 65-year journey of friendship was blossoming with the passage of time. He added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was another proof of this friendship, which was bound to open many avenues of development and prosperity in Pakistan.

With the completion of this project, vast employment opportunities would be generated and it would also result in accelerated economic growth and industrialisation, he added.

The governor further said that some vested external elements were bent on sabotaging this vital economic plan only to fulfil their nefarious designs.

The governments and people of both the countries should be alert and prepared to thwart any such attempt with their unity and understanding, he said.

“The people of Pakistan strongly believe in one China notion as we sincerely think that there could be no two Chinas and it is also the policy of our government,” he added.

A special security unit has been established for protection and security of the projects being carried out by Chinese firms and investors so as to encourage more investment from China in various fields.

The governor that the volume of trade between two countries had reached $18 billion and it was increasing with every passing day. The head of the delegation, Zhang, informed the governor about the importance of Xinjiang region and said the CPEC would pass through this region.

He also emphasized on the expansion of relations between Xinjiang and Sindh in various fields. The provincial coastal development minister and the chief secretary informed the delegation about vast investment opportunities in different fields.

The Chinese delegation included Vice Governor XUAR Jierla Yishamuding, Vice Secretary General CPC Party Committee XUAR Dong Zhong, Party Secretary of Foreign Affairs XUAR Wu Xian, Director General of Development and Reforms Commission XUAR Zhang Chunlin, Party Secretary of Economy and Information Commission XUAR Hu Kaijiang, Party Secretary of Health and Family Planning XUAR Yin Yulin, Party Secretary of Education Department XUAR Liang Chao, and Party Secretary of Commerce Department XUAR He Yiming.