China’s Vice Premier to Visit Pakistan for CPEC’s 10th Anniversary Celebrations
China’s Vice Premier, He Lifeng, and Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, is set to visit Pakistan from July 30 to August 1, 2023. The visit comes in response to an invitation extended by Islamabad to the Chinese government representative.
10 Years of CPEC Celebrations: Strengthening Bonds
Vice Premier He, who also serves as a Special Envoy of President Xi Jinping, will participate in the 10th-anniversary celebrations of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during his visit. The Foreign Office has confirmed that he will meet with the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan during his stay.
A Key Player in CPEC’s Success
He Lifeng has been an essential figure in China’s international economic relations and played a significant role in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, with CPEC being a flagship project. As the chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission from 2017 to 2023, he was instrumental in planning and executing various CPEC projects in Pakistan.
Strengthening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership
This visit reflects the ongoing high-level exchanges and dialogue between Pakistan and China. Both countries attach great importance to deepening their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.” The visit aims to reaffirm support on issues related to each other’s core interests, enhance economic and financial cooperation, foster high-quality development of CPEC, and explore new avenues for strengthening trade and investment ties.
Prime Minister’s Praise for CPEC’s Impact
In a recent ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the signing of CPEC, Prime Minister Shehbaz hailed the project’s transformative role in Pakistan’s development landscape. He acknowledged that CPEC had led to significant progress in the region and the world.
Transparent and Fruitful Partnership
The Prime Minister praised the transparent nature of the CPEC project, with Chinese government and companies investing $25.4 billion in various projects. He expressed gratitude to President Xi for his unwavering support, emphasizing that CPEC would continue to boost various sectors, including agriculture, special economic zones, information technology, and mineral resource exploration.
What is CPEC?
CPEC, initiated in 2013 by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, is a multi-billion-dollar project designed as the flagship initiative of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. Its primary aim is to transform Pakistan’s geo-strategic location into geo-economic advantages through improved regional and economic integration. The project encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including physical and digital connectivity, power generation, and the promotion of industrialization through special economic zones.
Published in PakWeb, July 29, 2023.
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