CPEC 2.0 to Prioritise Green Growth: Chinese Consul General Sun Yan

LAHORE: China’s Consul General Sun Yan said that the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will centre on high-quality development, with priorities including industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, technological innovation, green growth and improvement in livelihoods.

He was speaking at a conference held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to mark the 10th anniversary of the Gold Ring Economic Forum (GREF).

Sun Yan described relations between Pakistan and China as an ironclad partnership founded on trust and shared objectives. He said CPEC had made a major contribution to Pakistan’s energy security, infrastructure development and industrial expansion, and added that its new phase would create fresh opportunities for investment and jobs.

The Chinese envoy also highlighted the importance of Gwadar Port, saying its location gives it the potential to serve as a major regional trade hub. He said Gwadar links the Arabian Sea with Central Asia and welcomed wider international participation in CPEC under mutually agreed frameworks.

The event also featured remarks from Iran’s Consul General Mehran Movahedfar, who praised Pakistan’s constructive role in advancing regional peace and stability. He expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and said lasting peace depends on mutual respect and inclusive engagement across the region.

LCCI Senior Vice President Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh said the Golden Ring countries — Pakistan, China, Iran, Türkiye and Russia — together represent a market potential of more than $6.5 trillion.

He also set out policy priorities for stronger regional economic cooperation, including better financial connectivity, the removal of non-tariff barriers and support for export-oriented sectors such as textiles, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

Focus on regional connectivity

The conference brought together discussion on trade, investment and regional cooperation, with speakers pointing to the role of CPEC and the broader Golden Ring framework in expanding economic linkages.

Sun Yan’s remarks placed particular emphasis on the development direction of CPEC 2.0, while also underlining Gwadar’s strategic position in regional commerce. His comments linked the corridor’s next stage with investment, employment and broader participation under agreed arrangements.

Movahedfar, meanwhile, focused on regional stability, saying peace must be built through mutual respect and inclusive engagement. Tanveer Ahmad Sheikh’s remarks added a business perspective, stressing the scale of the combined market represented by the five countries and identifying practical trade measures that could support export growth.