ISLAMABAD: Chinese embassy on Friday distributed awards among Pakistani staff working at the CPEC projects for making those projects a success through their hard work.
During the ceremony, the representatives of the Pakistani staff from three projects Mr. Mir Arslan Ali, from Matiari to Lahore ±660kV HVDC Transmission Line Project; Ms. Shakeela Kosar, from Metro train Orange Line Project Lahore; Muhammad Hamza Khalid from Sahiwal Power Plant delivered their speeches.
On the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Ambassador Nong Rong, Mr Pan Jiang, Deputy DG, National Development and Reform Commission of China, Mr. Ying Minghao Deputy CEO, Council Member of APCEA also gave speeches. Representatives of CPEC companies, Pakistan’s think tanks, and media circles attended the event.
Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan should learn from China for economic and technological development. He said that to ensure economic development, the country should have a peaceful environment, adding “we must first ensure political stability, continuity of policies, and social solidarity because economic development does not take place in an atmosphere of conflict and polarization.
He said that everyone thought that CPEC is an impossible mission. But people on the ground made it possible, which is remarkable.
Highlighting the friendship bond between Pakistan and China, the minister said that the changes in world affairs have also brought changes in relationships. World orders bring countries together and the world order changes. The countries’ friendships also drift apart.
He said that the Pakistan and China friendship has defied all rules of international affairs and diplomacy.
He said that the purpose of CPEC was not to advance China’s business interests. The purpose of CPEC was to help Pakistan which was a close strategic partner, to improve its economy and bring Pakistan’s economy from an agricultural structure into an industrial structure.
Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong said that in 2022, against the challenge of global economic downturn and historical floods in Pakistan, the CPEC projects have made good progress.
“Our two sides are committed to making full use of the JCC of the CPEC, advancing CPEC with greater efficiency, and making CPEC an exemplar of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation,” he added.
The envoy further added that a series of good news are coming from different sectors under the CPEC umbrella. The China-aided Eastbay Expressway of Gwadar port has begun operation since June, enhancing connectivity of the port, which is now transporting two hundred thousand tons of fertilizer.
He said that Karot Hydropower started commercial operation in June as well, which provides cheap and clean electricity, and can reduce 3.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.
The Ambassador said that the TEL and Nova power plants in Thar also started operations with the local coal. The Shanghai Electric Thar coal-based power plant has been connected to the national grid. Six model farms under Pakistan-China Red Chilli Contract Farming Project are achieving a harvest in Punjab and Sindh Province, with an estimated yield of 700 tons of dried chilly.
So far, he said, CPEC has created 192,000 jobs, 6000MW of power supply, 510 km of highway, and 886 km of transmission line, which laid a solid foundation for Pakistan’s socio-economic development. The achievements of the CPEC are not possible without the joint efforts of staff from both China and Pakistan.
He also informed that recently, China adjusted its COVID prevention and control policies, which include the removal of measures to control the number of international flights and restoration of people-to-people exchanges for business and study.
Mr Pan Jiang, Deputy DG of the NDRC said that he was moved by the touching and vivid stories of CPEC staffs.
“It is your contribution, creativity, and devotion that makes CPEC come so far today. You are the most beautiful contributors and influncers of CPEC construction. Your spirit of hard-working, innovation, and contribution not only represents the brave and industrious people of our two nations, but also demonstrates the strive and hope for a better life of our people. Heartfelt thanks and deep repect for your contribution and devotion. Hope you could contribute more to tightening our friendship,” he said.
“Next, we will follow the consensus of two state leaders, collaborate with the guidance of 11th JCC meeting, make more efforts with the focus on Gwadar Port, Energy, Infrastructure and Industrial Cooperation construction. CPEC will be an exemplar project of B&R high-quality development. And a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era will be achieved soon,” he concluded.
