Boost mutual development of China and Pakistan through CPEC (2)

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2014 shows an aerial view of Gwadar Port in Balochistan province, Pakistan. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Build consensus in development and prosperity

CPEC runs northeastward from Gwadar port to Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which not only represents the important consensus reached by leaders of China and Pakistan, but also reflects the fundamental interests and destiny of both peoples.

As a corridor of unity, it will unite peoples in all regions in Pakistan to pursue common prosperity and development. As a result, all the people of Pakistan hope the corridor runs through their own region. Pakistan’s former prime minister Shaukat Aziz said that people in every region would agree that the corridor passes through their region in order to enjoy the giant economic benefits.

Through reasonable layout of industrial park construction, the corridor will be built into an economic development belt and drive the economic growth of Pakistan.

Currently, the total installed capacity of electricity in Pakistan is 23.7 million kilowatts. During the signing ceremony last April, energy projects occupy half of the agreements: 21 cooperative projects in the fields of solar, water, wind, coal and so on, with a total 17.04 million kilowatts installed capacity. In the near future, the largest photovoltaic plant in the world will be built, along with other energy projects, in Pakistan.

As a result, the planned energy and infrastructure construction of the corridor will definitely bring Pakistan a thriving future. For example, the Qasim coal-fired power plant in the Qasim port industrial park, will greatly improve the local power supply.

Cai Bin, Qasim branch general manager of Power Construction Corp of China,said that he has witnessed the true all-weather friendship and all-round cooperation. Since the signing of the contract last April, all the civil work has been carried out smoothly and would be completed in March. “The speed of the construction was unprecedented, I was deeply moved by the friendship between China and Pakistan.”

During the ground-breaking ceremony of Qasim power plant, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif said he hopes each city and each village will be lit with energy from the plant; at the same time, employment opportunity and prosperity would be brought to the entire nation.

Historically speaking, Pakistan has provided China an air corridor linking to the world, supporting China’s returning to the UN; and now, the economic corridor would penetrate all over Pakistan and bring development and prosperity to each corner of the South Asian nation.

Sincerely cooperation

The 900-megawatt photovoltaic surface power station, the first such power station in Pakistan is located in Jinnah industrial park, is a priority project of China-Pakistan economic corridor, and was officially launched during President Xi’s visit to Pakistan.

CPEC, a long-term and systematic project, needs scientific planning and progressive implementation. Cai Bin said the schedule of the construction of Qasim coal-fired power plant had encountered some problems such as the registration of land leasing agreement, electricity delivery and custom clearance. However, NDRC and China Foreign Ministry were helping communicate and coordinate; the problems are believed to be solved satisfactorily.

With the construction of the CPEC in full swing, many Chinese engineers and technicians havemade it their mission to “build CPEC, bring benefit to people of Pakistan, and enhance China-Pakistan friendship.”

Constructorshave become the witnesses of China-Pakistan friendship. A Pakistani proverb says: “Wind not always blow the way as the sailor wishes”. CPEC, as President Hussain has said, would not only change the look of Pakistan, but also have a profound impact on the whole region.

Project benefits future generations

A joint statement signed in last April noted, “The development and planning of CPEC will cover every district of Pakistan, bring benefit to all people of Pakistan, and facilitate the common prosperity of China and Pakistan as well as other countries in the region.”

CPEC is not only a strategic project, but also a significant project for the interests of people. Chinese enterprises should remember to fulfill their social responsibilities when developing local projects. The image of China is well established after a series of projects involving local people’s livelihood are carried out.

On November 11, a ceremony was held in Gwadar on the construction of a public primary school, thanks to the funds from the China peace and development foundation.

Zhang Baozhong said, “we donate school buses to local schools, set up scholarships, build public primary schools, and plan to build a children’s park this year; we approach the local people through public welfare projects, and make Chinese brands win the support of the local people.”