China highlights key development initiatives in Balochistan, rejects false media reports

ISLAMABAD:

The embassy of China in Pakistan on Monday said on Monday that China always supported the construction of Gwadar Port and the development of Balochistan.

The Chinese embassy spokesperson, while reacting to an article in UK-based The Guardian, said that rhetoric and wording imposed were not credible and lacked the basic understanding of China’s position. “We have noted that the recent article in The Guardian, allegedly quoted the remarks of a Chinese diplomat, which is completely untrue,” the spokesperson stated.

The spokesperson said that the author’s practice of unilaterally fabricating false information without prior consent for an interview violated professional ethics and breached basic respect for the common understanding.

The spokesperson said that over the past year, with joint efforts of our two countries, series of positive progress had been made. “In March last year, we provided $100,000 in emergency cash assistance for disaster relief work in Balochistan,” the spokesperson added.

“In May, China transported 10,000 sets of solar lighting equipment to be distributed in Balochistan. Similarly, in June, we handed over the Gwadar the China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital and the Gwadar desalination plant,” he continued.

“In July, we organised a media delegation from Balochistan to visit China while in August, 20,000 sets of health kits were distributed to Balochistan. In October, the new Gwadar International Airport was successfully completed and in November, we organised delegations from all walks of life in Gwadar to visit China.”

He said that in December, outstanding Pakistani staff of the CPEC project, including those in Balochistan were awarded. “The embassy will soon award Chinese Ambassador Scholarships to students in Balochistan University, Sardar Bahadur Khan University and Gwadar University,” he added.