(Text of DG NRDC, Mr. Ying Xiong’s speech)
It is a great honor for me to attend the Award Ceremony 2021 for Outstanding Pakistani Staff of the CPEC Projects. On behalf of H.E. Mr. He Lifeng, the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and H.E. Mr. Ning Jizhe, the Deputy Head of NDRC, Chairman of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee of Chinese side, please allow me to convey the cordial greetings to the Planning Minister Mr. Umar and SAPM Mr. Mansoor, as well as warm congratulations to the winners of Outstanding Pakistani staff today.
The world is now undergoing major changes unseen in a century. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has further evolved the major changes, with more sources of turbulence and risks around the world. As all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan have continuously strengthened strategic communication and safeguarded common interests. During the past 70 years since the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties, the two countries have always stood side by side in weal and woe. History has fully proved that the two countries are the most reliable iron-clad brothers. China’s development and growth is to the interest of Pakistan, and it is also China’s sincere hope that Pakistan can enjoy stable development to become prosperity.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. Since its initiation in 2013, China and Pakistan have joint hands to work together for 8 years, by following the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits. Even in the face of the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CPEC projects still enjoy smooth operation. There is no stop of the CPEC projects construction, no job cut for Pakistani staffs and no withdrawal of Chinese workforce. The CPEC construction has bucked the trend with continuous new achievements. In September this year, the 10th Joint Coordination Committee meeting of CPEC was successfully held. The anti-pandemic campaign by the CPEC brought with tangible achievements. New progress has been made in Gwadar Port development. Energy projects are now in normal and stable operation. Major progress has been made in transportation infrastructure cooperation. Cooperation in industries and other fields has been advancing rapidly. Agriculture as well as science and technology cooperation has been hedging forward steadily. Cooperation in society and people’s livelihood has progressed smoothly. International cooperation and coordination as well as security related issues have been implemented in an orderly manner. These fruitful achievements have once again demonstrated the unbreakable China-Pakistan friendship, and showed to the world the strong vitality and huge potential of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Today, I was deeply moved to hear the wonderful and touching stories of the constructors and contributors of the CPEC. Work creates happiness, and work achieves great things. It is only by the constructors of the CPEC, who have risen to the challenge, worked hard, and dedicated themselves to make creations, that have led to the achievements of CPEC today. The outstanding staff awarded today are the outstanding representatives of the CPEC construction, and are the most beautiful workers in this regard. Your dedication, innovation and devotion not only represent the industrious and brave spirit of both Chinese and Pakistani people, but also reflect the strength of the CPEC construction and the common aspiration of our two peoples for a better life. I shall take this opportunity to pay tribute to you and thank you for your hard work! I hope you will make new and greater contributions to China-Pakistan friendship.
All relevant authorities in China, as guided by the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and in the spirit of the 10th JCC Meeting, are closely following the “1+4” cooperation layout, centering on CPEC construction and focusing on Gwadar Port, energy, infrastructure development and industrial cooperation. We are dedicated to building healthy corridors, actively creating industrial corridors, speeding up the flow of trade corridors, earnestly developing digital corridors, promoting the formation of green corridors. We will promote high-quality development of the CPEC, make it as the demonstration project for high-quality development of the BRI, and work together to build an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
The haze of the pandemic will eventually disperse, and the bright sun will eventually shine on the earth. We sincerely wish that the CPEC will have a better future!
Long live the
China-Pakistan friendship!
