ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid said today thatboth China and Pakistan have agreed to establish nine industrial parks inPakistan under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework and hopedthat at least two or three special economic zones could be built this year.
“Outcome of the CPEC is the establishment of many industrial parks andspecial economic zones. Both the countries have agreed to establish nineindustrial parks in Pakistan,” he said in an exclusive interview with theChinese Edition of “Chine.com.cn.”
He said that China’s experience in establishing special economic zones hasbeen very successful, he said and added, “We hope that at least two orthree special economic zones can be built this year, which means that wewill build manufacturing centers, joint ventures, which will give peopleemployment opportunities,” he added.
Ambassador Khalid said that the CPEC has brought work to more than 60,000people in Pakistan. This is the result of the already-launched project,adding, the development of more projects under the Economic Corridor andthe Belt and Road Initiative will lead to more job opportunities, percapita income will also increase, the government will have more funds forthe construction of roads, hospitals and schools.
Terming it a holistic and comprehensive process, he said, throughcontinuous and sustained efforts, we can solve the problem of poverty andhope that we can learn from China’s experience in this regard.
He said, Pakistan and China are old friends and their all-weather strategicpartnership is based on mutual respect and mutual trust, adding, “Ourrelationship is very broad and diversified.”
“We have cooperation in many fields, bilateral cooperation, regionalcooperation, and cooperation in international forums,” he added.
Ambassador Khalid said, in the past three to four years, we implemented theCPEC project, which is a pilot project and a new project under President XiJinping’s “One Belt One Road” initiative.
He opined that President Xi’s “One Belt and One Road” initiative, with avision for the future and great foresight, will bring peace to this world.Therefore, interconnection will also promote our mutual trust.
Pakistan and China have carried out close cooperation on economic corridorprojects, and many projects are steadily advancing.
He informed that about 22 projects are currently being implemented inPakistan. These projects have the participation of Chinese friends.
“We very much welcome Chinese friends and thank you for your support andcooperation,” he added.
He said both China and Pakistan are developing countries and they mustsupport each other as the two countries understand the problems andchallenges that the other party faces.
Ambassador Khalid said, the relations between China and Pakistan havealways been relatively close, and they have been related to regionalissues, global issues, development and financial issues, and development.
Pakistan has benefited from China’s development experience, he said andadded, “There are many things that we have to study, such as achievementsin the development of China, as well as in all areas such as ruraldevelopment, agriculture, industry, information technology, science andtechnology, education, and so on.”
He said, in education, for example, the cooperation between our twocountries is thriving. There are about 22,000 Pakistani students studyingin China. They not only study professional courses, they are still learningChinese here, so one can imagine that they will be future China-Pakistanfriendship ambassadors. – APP