Pakistan

China rubbishes claims of 'wrongdoing' in CPEC

CPEC is once again in the spotlight causing damage to the project by making it controversial

News Desk December 20, 2016

PHOTO: REUTERS

In a rare rebuttal, Chinese embassy officials on Monday brushed aside allegations of 'wrongdoing' in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

CPEC is once again in the spotlight causing damage to the project by making it controversial.

"For those who accuse CPEC projects of corruption, there is one Chinese saying: Gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure," acting Chinese ambassador Lijian Zhao said on Twitter.

Part 1: An introduction into CPEC's long-term plan and challenges

For those who accuse CPEC projects of corruption, there is one Chinese saying: Gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure.
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) December 19, 2016

Among the many criticisms of the mega project comes the claim that Punjab province is set to be the biggest beneficiary over other smaller provinces.

Major questions about CPEC answered

Scathing criticism surfaced on social media against the project whereby, China was being accused of using 'prisoners as labour'. Pushing back on further criticisms and dismissing allegations of corruption, Zhao clarified that "China punished 1.01 million officials since 2013."

No need to be cynical. FYI, China punished 1.01 million officials since 2013. CPEC projects are a clean sheet. They are part of the war, too https://t.co/Q3wjJXi8VU
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) December 19, 2016

Is China using Prisoners as labour to save costs under CPEC? This is nonsense. The person spreads rumors like this has a hidden agenda
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) December 19, 2016

CPEC has been heralded as a “game-changer” that promises to bring peace and prosperity to Pakistan. It is a package of infrastructure and energy projects originally priced at USD 46 billion, though recently the figure has increased to USD 51 billion after China committed to fund the Karachi-Lahore rail line.

COMMENTS (4)

Sodomite | 8 years ago | Reply Thank you China for saving us.

Sah Hussain | 8 years ago | Reply Investments are not based on philantrophy. They seek profits and returns. Chinese investments are no exceptions. CPEC is a plank of Chinese regional economic integration narrative - one belt one road(OBOR).It has relieved the Panning and Development Ministry from ADPs, Five Years Plans and Perspective Planning between 2015 to 2030. Development priorities have been reset with sharp focus on communications. After gestation of CPEC Projects, the repayment of principal and interest will be adding to the debt woes of country which has alreàdy surpassed its debt to GDP Limit by 5% (instead of 60%, it is 65 %).

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

abreez | 8 years ago | Reply More than 100 nuclear power reactors will start up in China over the next decade. The strategy is outlined in the draft of China’s new Five-Year Plan that covers 2016 to 2020. It is China’s 13th such plan, and the country has kept pretty close to most of their previous goals. According to the document, the government will invest over US$100 billion to construct about seven new reactors annually between now and 2030. By 2050, nuclear power should exceed 350 GW in that country, include about 400 new nuclear reactors, and have resulted in over a trillion dollars in nuclear investment. The rush to expand comes from China’s tremendous air pollution from existing coal-fired plants, not surprising if you’ve been to Beijing in the last five years. Coupled with the need to double their energy production to move the rest of their population into the middle class, it is no wonder nuclear, and many other forms of generation, are being ramped up enormously. (China Shows How to Build Nuclear Reactors Fast and Cheap) http://www.forbes.com/

Zubair | 8 years ago | Reply How many time the people of Pakistan have to prove that CPEC is (China Punjab Economic Corridor). Another proof below shows that yesterday only CM of Punjab was attending federal government meeting on CPEC while no CM from other 3 provinces were present. http://www.pid.gov.pk/?p=31494

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