CPEC Media Forum vows to thwart propaganda

Chinese envoy says some forces spreading disinformation about project

ISLAMABAD:

The participants of the 8th CPEC [China-Pakistan Economic Corridor] Media Forum on Wednesday vowed to collectively counter disinformation about the project. The event was organised in Islamabad by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI). It was held in collaboration with the China Economic Net and the country’s embassy.

The forum was also virtually telecast in Beijing and University of Gwadar. In his keynote speech, interim Federal Information Minister Murtaza Solang appreciated the vital role of the media in shaping public perceptions of CPEC.

He urged objective reporting to counter propaganda and ensure accurate dissemination of information. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and PCI, characterised the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the paramount developmental and diplomatic initiative of the 21st century.

He added that CPEC was back on track now with focus on the Gwadar Port development, ML1 Railway project, revival of Special Economic Zones and major developments in agricultural sector.

Emphasising China's redirection of funds toward green development with a monumental $100 billion investment, he juxtaposed this with the US administration seeking military aid, totaling $104 billion for wars in Ukraine and Occupied Palestine.

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Jiang Zaidong, the ambassador of China to Pakistan, expressed his appreciation for the forum as a preeminent platform dedicated to promoting media cooperation and dispelling misinformation about CPEC. He said some forces were deliberately spread disinformation on BRI and CPEC.

The envoy highlighted the consistent progress of China's economy and its notable advancements in innovation. Furthermore, the Chinese ambassador informed the participants about his personal visit to Gwadar, where he inaugurated a desalination plant aimed at benefiting the local population.

Additionally, he announced the forthcoming provision of 10,000 solar units to Gwadar, contributing to sustainable development in the region. Mustafa Hyder Sayed, the PCI executive director, emphasised that the scope of CPEC cooperation extended beyond ‘brick and mortar’ infrastructure projects to encompass people-to-people connectivity.

He termed Chinese President Xi Jinping's announcement of a $100 billion investment in the green development of BRI countries as historic. Cui Jun, the president of the China Economic Net, read out the congratulatory communication from Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Sun Weidong, pertaining to the 8th CPEC Media Forum.

Read more BRI and its flagship project CPEC

In the message, Vice Minister Sun Weidong expressed his sincere felicitations to the participants for the successful execution of the forum.

Emphasising the enduring nature of the bilateral relationship, he underscored that Pakistan and China stood as all-weather strategic partners, and the successful conclusion of a decade of CPEC served as a testament to the profound friendship between the two nations.

During his address, senior journalist Hamid Mir emphasised the imperative requirement for proactive involvement from both China and Pakistan in Balochistan, saying that the destiny of CPEC was intricately linked to the developments in the province. The PCI executive director launched a new ‘CPEC Media Forum Balochistan Initiative’ and presented a joint statement of the forum.

The statement expressed gratitude for the decade-long collaborative efforts in advancing CPEC, highlighting achievements in energy, infrastructure, and socioeconomic development, especially inculcating hope, confidence and faith in the future among Pakistanis.

The forum underscored the importance of combating misinformation, sustaining cooperation, as well as leveraging technology, emphasising inclusive and transparent development for societal benefit. During the forum, Senator Mushahid formally unveiled the report titled ‘Perception of CPEC in Pakistan’. The report showed that 93.5% of Pakistanis had a positive view of CPEC.