Pakistan must take all steps for recovery of workers: China

BEIJING: A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Lu Kang said at a regular news briefing in Beijing that Pakistan must take all possible steps for the early and safe recovery of the kidnapped workers. On the afternoon of May 24, two Chinese citizens were kidnapped by militants in Balochistan.

According to Chinese media reports, the spokesman further said, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety of overseas Chinese citizens and condemns the abduction of personnel in any form.

After the incident, the Chinese government, along with relevant departments, the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and the Chinese Consulate General in Karachi, immediately launched the emergency response mechanism.

“We keep close communication with Pakistan, request relevant Pakistani authorities to take every necessary measure to rescue the abducted while ensuring their safety, and take more effective measures to secure the safety of Chinese citizens and organs in Pakistan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said that his country fully acknowledges and appreciates Pakistan’s efforts for providing security to the Chinese workers. Addressing a function in Sahiwal where the first unit of 1,320MW coal-power project was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he said proper security to the Chinese workers is imperative to ensure smooth functioning of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He termed the project a landmark development in the relationship of the two countries. He said he was very happy, as this project will meet the energy requirements of about 10 million people.

Through this project, around 3,000 local people were provided jobs. Besides this, 200 Pakistani engineers were sent to China for training that will enable them to manage and run the power plant under the Chinese supervision.

The power-plant is reflective of the state-of-the-art technology, provided by the Chinese companies, he said adding that it was matter of great pride that the plant was constructed six months ahead of the schedule time.

Stating that work all other CPEC’s related projects was going on rapidly, Ambassador Sun Weidong further said these were going to improve the livelihood of the people, and providing equal benefits to all parts of the county.

It was joint efforts by mutual consultation of the two countries, that their strategic partnership was making steady progress with the passage of time. He assured that CPEC would bring enormous benefits to the people of Pakistan.

The ambassador also spoke about One Belt, One Road  Initiative, which was initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, focussing on connectivity and cooperation between China and countries of Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe.

He also mentioned recently held Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. Leaders from 29 countries and representatives from over 130 nations and 70 international organizations including Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, participated the forum and round table conference.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang had fruitful meetings with him at sideline of the Forum. One of the most important parts of Belt & Road Initiative is to enhance people to people contact and understanding. This objective was being successfully achieved, he added.