CPEC projects to be completed on time despite COVID pandemic

MACAO, China (92 News) – CPEC Authority Chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa said that about a dozen major projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) were proceeding as scheduled in Pakistan despite Covid-19.

Speaking at the 11th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum in Macao, he said that infrastructure and construction will be a key to reviving jobs market and national economies.

Reacting to the statement of CPEC Authority Chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an important pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative, and significant progress has been made in the past seven years or so.

“Most outcomes are achieved in the fields of transport infrastructure and energy. A large number of highways and power stations have been built and lots of jobs created, strongly boosting the economic development of the relevant regions in Pakistan, which has benefited the Pakistani people and thus warmly welcomed and positively appraised by them,” she added.

She said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, various CPEC projects have persisted in not evacuating people, not laying off workers, and not stopping construction, which has provided strong support for Pakistan to fight the epidemic and stabilize the economy. “At present, the two sides are actively preparing for the 10th CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee meeting to plan for the future CPEC development.”

She was of the view that both the Chinese and Pakistani governments attach great importance to CPEC projects. “China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. While completing and operating well existing projects, China is willing to further focus on cooperation in the fields of social wellbeing, livelihoods, industry and agriculture so the CPEC will stand as a shining example of high-quality BRI cooperation and deliver more benefits to people in the two countries and other countries in the region,” she maintained.