BEIJING – China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will continue to betaken as a priority by the new government, foreign secretary Tehmina Janjuasaid.
“The most important thing we need to underscore is that whoever is in powerin Pakistan, has a clear commitment to the continuation of the CPEC as animportant project that brings mutual benefit and prosperity for the peopleof Pakistan and hence a commitment by them for this project because it isas people said ‘is a game changer within the region,” she told a delegationof five Chinese media representatives during their visit to the ministry offoreign affairs.
“Right now, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as as the largestpolitical party in the National Assembly, but government formation processwill takes a bit longer,” she was quoted by China.org.cn, an officialwebsite on Wednesday.
“We see the CPEC not only as an initiative between two countries but aninitiative to help our entire region in its development. The CPEC hasachieved significant success and enjoys cross-border political support. Wecontinue to take it as a priority,” she added.
Defusing concerns, Janjua firstly expressed her appreciation for China tolaunch the first major project of BRI in Pakistan, saying, “there is aconsensus across the board in Pakistan, on the importance of the CPEC, bothfor China and Pakistan.”
Director General (China) of the ministry of foreign affairs, Ayesha Ali wasalso present on the occasion.
With the visit taking place just a few days after the former Pakistanicricketer Imran Khan won his country’s parliamentary elections, questionsfrom the Chinese media delegation were focused on any possible changes theelection result may bring to the China-Pakistan signature cooperationproject.
The visit was organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies, under theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, and the Embassy of Pakistan to thePeople’s Republic of China.
The trip offers an opportunity for the Chinese media delegates to learnmore about Pakistan’s history, culture, and tourism, to better providefirsthand information on developmental projects and to promote interactionwith Pakistani media institutions, think tanks, political government andsocial entities.