External, internal enemies of CPEC should shut their mouths: Shahbaz

Says project will be made a success at all costs; promotion of economic ties between Punjab, Jiangxi provinces is a welcome step

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that agreements for promotion of economic cooperation between Punjab and Jiangxi provinces is a welcome step and mutual cooperation agreements between the businessmen of both provinces is also a positive development.

While addressing the Punjab-Jiangxi Business Forum-2017 at a local hotel, he expressed his hope that the new agreements would definitely promote economic relations, not only between the two provinces but also between Pakistan and China.

Economic cooperation agreements were signed between the two provinces on the occasion. Agreements were also signed between industrialists of both the provinces for promoting bilateral cooperation.

The chief minister said China had supported the viewpoint of Pakistan at the UN and other international forums. “China is honouring its friendship with Pakistan from the day one. During the last 70 years, China has presented different big gifts in the shape of projects.

“The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a great gift of Chinese leadership for the government of Pakistan,” Shahbaz Sharif said. He said work on CPEC was being carried out speedily, but the internal and external enemies of the project were afraid of rapid implementation of the game-changing project.

"Our neighbour on the eastern border, some other countries have been unnerved. But the project is under way transparently and on a fast pace, giving a befitting reply to such enemies.

“The external and internal enemies of the mega project should shut their mouths and watch their tongues, as it would be completed at all costs, resulting in development of the region,” he said.

"The enemies should know it well that we will make this project a success at every cost," he added.

He said that after getting a historic mandate from the people during the elections of 2013, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited China on the invitation of Chinese leadership, and said that he was also included in the delegation of the prime minister.

The Chinese leadership had assured their full cooperation in different sectors, including eradication of energy crisis in Pakistan, during that tour, the Punjab chief minister said.

He said that 1,320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Plant would be inaugurated next month. He said that 250 students are learning Chinese language in Beijing University at the expense of the Punjab government.

He said Chinese investors could invest in industrial park projects in Punjab. Textile is an important sector which carries huge investment options. Cooperation can also be extended in pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.

Member of Central Committee of Communist Party of China Lu Xinshe, other Chinese delegates, Chinese Consul General Long Dingbin, provincial ministers, MNAs and MPAs, investors of Pakistan and the Chinese province of Jiangxi attended the business forum.