China ready to further strengthen strategic partnership with Pakistan: Ambassador Nong Rong

China has reiterated its commitment to work with Pakistan to elevate the level of all-round strategic cooperation, speed up efforts to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Addressing the Awarding Ceremony for Outstanding Pakistani Staff of the CPEC Projects 2022 in Islamabad on Friday, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong said his country aims to further promote the exchange of people, and facilitate the investments between China and Pakistan.

The ambassador said 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.

He said under renewed policy, Pakistani students can go to China for further study and come back to join the CPEC projects, passing on the friendship between our two countries.

The Ambassador said a series of good news are coming from different sectors under the CPEC umbrella.

He said 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 ton of fertilizer.

Counting on other projects under CPEC umbrella, Nong Rong said 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 TEL and Nova power plants in Thar also started operation 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.

He said this is just portray of the great potential of agricultural cooperation between our two countries.

The Ambassador said CPEC, as the pilot project of BRI and China-Pakistan cooperation in the new era, will always provide a broad stage for people to display their talents and realize personal values.

He expressed hope that the Chinese and Pakistani staff will cherish the opportunity, contribute to the construction of the CPEC with practical actions, and continue to consolidate the iron friendship between China and Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, China’s Deputy DG National Development and Reforms Committee Pan Jiang said China views its relations with Pakistan from a strategic and long-term perspective and Pakistan has always been a high priority in China’s neighborhood diplomacy.

He further said the two sides will make full use of the Joint Cooperation Committee of CPEC, advance CPEC with greater efficiency, and make CPEC an exemplar of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

Later, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, who was chief guest of the event, distributed shields among the outstanding Pakistani staff of CPEC projects.