H.E. Mr. Asad Umar, Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives,
H.E. Mr. Khalid Mansoor, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs,
H.E. Mr. Ying Xiong, Director General of Department of International Affairs of NDRC of China,
Mr. Yang Jianduo, Chairman of All Pakistan Chinese Enterprises Association,
Outstanding Pakistani Staff of the CPEC Projects,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Happy New Year!
I am very glad to attend the Award Ceremony 2021 for Outstanding Pakistani Staff of the CPEC Projects. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. It is also a year witnessed the deepening of all-round cooperation between the two countries. In particular, the CPEC project despite the challenge of pandemic, has made great achievement. In this regard, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to H.E. Planning Minister Asad Umar, H.E. SAPM Khalid Mansoor, and H.E. DG Ying Xiong, for all the contributions you have made!
During this year, the CPEC has always been the focus of our two countries. May it be on May 21st , when the leaders of the two countries exchanged congratulatory messages for the 70-year anniversary; or on July 24th when the third China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue took place; or on October 26th, President Xi Jinping called Prime Minister Imran Khan on the phone, both parties expressed their will to jointly build the CPEC, to promote cooperation in agriculture, digital economy and people’s livelihood, and bring more benefits to the local people, and comprehensively build the health, industrial, trade, digital, and green corridors, so as to build the CPEC into a demonstration project for high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. On September 23rd, the 10th JCC meeting was successfully held, setting the path for the future cooperation, and added one more Joint Working Group on Information Technology Industry, opening up new areas of great potential for cooperation.
Especially, we are very pleased to see that Prime Minister Imran Khan attaches great importance to the CPEC. He chaired a series of meetings on CPEC, including the one for industry development, and held two seminars with Chinese entrepreneurs. Pakistan government established the China-Pakistan Relations Steering Committee to coordinate and resolve CPEC issues; introduced the special visa policy for CPEC to facilitate investment; set up a Foreign National Security Cell to strengthen security measures. These practical measures have injected more confidence in the development of the CPEC.
Good news also comes from different sectors of cooperation. With joint efforts, the Rashakai Special Economic Zone has been launched, the north part of the Gwadar Free Zone is under construction, the Matiari-Lahore HVDC Transmission Line has brought Pakistan into a new era of AC-DC hybrid power grid, the Karot Hydropower Project started water storage, the Gwadar Technical and Vocational Institute was completed. These developments brought by the CPEC, from the perspective of individuals, will create more jobs, increase their incomes and improve their skills; from the perspective of the country, will boost Pakistan's economic and social development, promote industrialization and urbanization, and enhance the connection of the nation and the region as a whole.
The achievements of the CPEC are not possible without joint efforts of staff from both China and Pakistan. They are not only the constructors and participants of the CPEC, but also the `witnesses and promoters of history. In particular, the 27 outstanding Pakistani staff who participate in the award ceremony today, are outstanding representatives in this regard. You have shown your diligence and dedication in promoting the CPEC and building your motherland. You are the pride of your company, your family, and the country! Your vivid and touching stories have showcased the CPEC in promoting employment and benefiting the local communities, in jointly building the BRI and achieving mutual benefits. Your success will surely encourage more people to devote themselves to the construction of CPEC and make more contributions to the development and prosperity of Pakistan and the friendship between China and Pakistan.
On the occasion of the end of this year, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the winners of the award for outstanding Pakistani staff! At the same time, I would like to thank the CPEC companies and all their employees, as well as the All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprise Association, represented by Mr. Yang Jianduo, for the efforts made for the smooth advancement of the CPEC!
The CPEC, as a landmark project of China-Pakistan cooperation in the new era, and a successful regional economic cooperation platform, provides a broad stage for people to display their talents and realize personal values. It is hoped that the Chinese and Pakistani staff will cherish the opportunity, contribute to the construction of the CPEC with practical actions, and continue to consolidate the iron friendship between China and Pakistan.
Congratulations again to all the winners!
Chin-Pak Dosti Zindabad!