China confirms takeover of Gwadar port: Report
China may convert the port into an oil pipeline hub to augment its energy supplies from the Gulf.
China tacitly confirmed reports of taking operational control of Gwadar deep-water port from Singapore’s PSA International, reported news agency Press Trust of India on Tuesday.
According to the PTI report, China may convert the port into an oil pipeline hub to augment its energy supplies from the Gulf.
The report quoted China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei as saying, “China and Pakistan are neighbours of traditional friendship. Over the years, China and Pakistan have engaged in wide-ranging cooperation in all fields including infrastructure construction with a view to helping Pakistan improve people’s well-being and promote social and economic development.”
Earlier, Minister of Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri said in an interview that Pakistan had reached an agreement with PSA where they have decided to leave the port and discussions on a possible Chinese investor were underway.
Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is also due to visit China to attend the World Economic Forum 2012 in September. During the visit, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo is expected to hold talks with Ashraf, the report stated.
Gwadar, built with a loan from China, is close to the Pakistan-Iran border and the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the Gulf’s oil exports are carried by ship to international markets.
According to the PTI report, China may convert the port into an oil pipeline hub to augment its energy supplies from the Gulf.
The report quoted China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei as saying, “China and Pakistan are neighbours of traditional friendship. Over the years, China and Pakistan have engaged in wide-ranging cooperation in all fields including infrastructure construction with a view to helping Pakistan improve people’s well-being and promote social and economic development.”
Earlier, Minister of Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri said in an interview that Pakistan had reached an agreement with PSA where they have decided to leave the port and discussions on a possible Chinese investor were underway.
Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is also due to visit China to attend the World Economic Forum 2012 in September. During the visit, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabo is expected to hold talks with Ashraf, the report stated.
Gwadar, built with a loan from China, is close to the Pakistan-Iran border and the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the Gulf’s oil exports are carried by ship to international markets.