- Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says CPEC 2.0 will empower youth, boost exports, and modernize economy
- Calls CPEC 2.0 a shift from infrastructure to people-centric growth, engineers of both countries working jointly on satellites under ‘new cooperation phase’
- Terms JCC session ‘historic turning point in partnership,’ saying ML-1 rail modernization, advanced materials and industrial innovation on agenda
BEIJING/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are set to formally launch the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC 2.0) at the 14th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in Beijing on Friday (tomorrow), a development being hailed as a historic turning point in bilateral ties.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, will represent Pakistan at the high-level meeting, which will not only review progress on ongoing projects but also expand cooperation into new, people-centric areas such as skills, youth empowerment, space technology, and industrial innovation.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, in a statement ahead of the meeting, underlined that the JCC is CPEC’s highest decision-making body, making the 14th session particularly significant as it marks the formal beginning of Phase II. He said the new phase would transform CPEC into a “People’s Corridor of Prosperity,” shifting focus from infrastructure to inclusive growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
The minister emphasized that the next stage would strengthen the “software of Pakistan’s economy” by empowering its greatest strength — the people. “CPEC Phase II will center on youth, skills, and innovation. People will play the leading role, while exports will serve as the driving engine of the economy,” he remarked, adding that the deepening partnership would serve as a beacon of hope for the entire region.
During his ongoing visit to China, Ahsan Iqbal also highlighted new dimensions of bilateral cooperation. At the Hunan Satellite Space Technology facility, he noted that Pakistani and Chinese engineers are jointly developing satellites. “With China’s support, Pakistan is writing a new chapter in space cooperation. Our friendship is advancing from roads and infrastructure toward conquering space,” he said, stressing that space sciences under CPEC Phase II would expand Pakistan’s capacity for scientific innovation and national development.
The minister also visited CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Company Limited, where he invited the firm to competitively participate in Pakistan’s ML-1 railway modernization project. He described rail cooperation as a future game-changer, poised to reduce costs, revolutionize connectivity, and energize Pakistan’s economic growth through public-private partnerships.
At Zhuzhou Times New Material Technology Company, Ahsan Iqbal, accompanied by a delegation from 20 countries, was briefed on cutting-edge research in materials science. Calling advanced materials “indispensable for industrial progress and infrastructure development,” he said Pakistan seeks to modernize its industries by embracing China’s technological advancements in CPEC Phase II.
“Industrial innovation makes economies globally competitive. By learning from China’s breakthroughs in science and technology, Pakistan can modernize its economy and carve out a stronger role in the global supply chain,” he stressed.
With the JCC session set to launch CPEC 2.0, both governments reaffirm that the partnership is evolving beyond roads and power plants to embrace people, technology, and innovation, making it a comprehensive blueprint for Pakistan’s sustainable future.
