CPEC to promote economic partnership: Chinese envoy

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidon said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has taken the friendship of two countries to a new height, meeting the common aspirations of their people.
He said this while addressing a reception hosted by the Chinese embassy on the occasion of 66th anniversary of China.
President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion. The reception was largely attended by a cross section of the people including politicians, diplomats and civil and military officers.
The Chinese ambassador said the CPEC is a milestone project in the history of the two countries, fostering their economic partnership.
In his remarks in the visitors’ book, President Mamnoon Hussain said the two countries enjoy unique friendship that stood test of the time. As iron brothers, they are committed to work together for peace and development and common benefit of their people.
Ambassador Sun spoke highly of the progress made in the development of China over the past 66 years, stressing that Chinese economy has entered into the new standard and China continues to deepen reforms and expand opening-up. China is able and confident to maintain steady and relatively rapid development of its economy.
Ambassador Sun said, “During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s historic state visit to Pakistan this April, both sides agreed to uplift the bilateral relations to the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. China-Pakistan relations have entered into the new stage of grand and vigorous development.”
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has entered into implementation from early planning. The CPEC is a long-term ongoing cooperative process requiring unremitting efforts from both sides, and will bring benefits to the people of our two countries and also help promote the regional development, he added.
Ambassador Sun said, “This year is the Year of China-Pakistan Friendly Exchanges. The Chinese Consulate General in Lahore is to be officially inaugurated soon. Direct flight by Air China between Beijing and Islamabad will be launched in the near future. And more facilitation will be offered to visa application of Pakistanis who participate in the CPEC projects. These measures will surely promote the interaction between our two peoples, and further deepen our mutual understanding and friendship”.
The Ambassador said that two brotherly countries should make joint efforts to promote China-Pakistan friendship, realise our common dreams, and achieve the goal of community of China-Pakistan shared destiny at an early date.
The guests, at the reception, were also impressed by the culture performance by artists from Xinjiang Acrobatic Troupe and picture exhibition of “tempo of China” reflecting the great achievements of the Chinese economy, society and culture.