China welcomes JCC meeting outcome

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday welcomed the outcomes of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and affirmed that China was ready to work with Pakistan to implement the common understanding and the outcomes of the meeting.

“I would like to extend congratulations to the outcomes of this meeting. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. CPEC is a landmark and pilot program under the Belt and Road Initiative,” Zhao Lijian said during his regular briefing while commenting on the JCC meeting held via video link.

The JCC meeting, held via video link on September 23, was chaired by Deputy Head of China’s National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC), Ning Jizhe and Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar.

The spokesperson said that during the meeting the two sides announced the establishment of a joint working group on information technology, industry and signed a number of cooperation documents.

“Since its launch in 2013, the CPEC has achieved fruitful and remarkable results,” he added.

Zhao Lijian said that, “We will stick to the One Plus Four cooperation model centring on CPEC and focusing on Gwadar Port, energy infrastructure, and industrial cooperation to increase the utilisation rate of existing infrastructure.”

He said that both countries would highlight cooperation in health, green economy, digitalization and would also step up cooperation in industries, science and technology, agriculture to materialise the CPEC into a demonstration program of high-quality BRI development.

According to the Deputy Head of China’s NDRC, the CPEC has reaped fruitful results over the past eight years, bringing a direct investment of US$ 25.4 billion to Pakistan and creating numerous jobs in Pakistan.

“The all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries is as solid as a rock and rooted in the hearts of the two peoples,” he told the participants of the meeting.

He said at the 70th anniversary of the establishment of China-Pakistan diplomatic ties, both sides should focus on CPEC construction through the construction of Gwadar Port, energy and infrastructure, and industrial cooperation while fully tapping the existing infrastructure.

In his speech, Asad Umar had remarked that the iron-clad friendship between China and Pakistan has stood the test of time.

“The phase one of CPEC has made huge progress in infrastructure thanks to the commitment of the top leadership of both countries, and that as CPEC has entered the second phase of high-quality development, both sides will foster closer economic ties and realise the great visions of the leaders of both countries to live up to the expectations of our two peoples,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that the 10th JCC meeting was attended by about 200 representatives from government agencies, financial institutions, businesses and public institutions