CPEC will have a positive contribution to peace and development in the region: President Xi

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent message of greetings on Pakistan Day, wishing well-being to the people of Pakistan and their continuous socio-economic progress.

In his congratulatory message to his Pakistani counterpart Dr. Arif Alvi, President Xi Jinping said currently Pakistan is making efforts to maintain stability, expedite economic development and improve people’s livelihood. Regarding the recent escalation in Pakistan-India tensions, he said, “We are pleased that a tangible outcome has been achieved in this regard. I am sure that under your leadership and the Pakistani government, progress will remain continuous.”

President Xi further said that China-Pakistan relations maintain a good momentum. The two countries have been cooperating in all fields under the Belt and Road Initiative. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor not only brings concrete benefits to our people, but also makes positive contribution to regional peace and development.

China, he said, attaches high importance to the development of Pakistan-China relations, and would like to join hands with the Pakistani side to upgrade the all-weather Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, and to build a closer Pakistan-China community in a shared future.

“On the 80th Pakistan Day, on behalf of the government and people of China and also in my name, I would like to express my warm congratulations and best wishes to you and through you, to the government and people of Pakistan, “he remarked.

Premier Li Keqiang in his message to Prime Minister Imran Khan said in recent years, China and Pakistan have worked together in promoting the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership towards a higher stage.

“The Pakistan-China Economic Corridor is steadily forging ahead, with fruitful results in various fields. Both sides have agreed to develop CPEC with higher quality in order to better benefit the two countries and the two peoples.

“The Chinese Government always puts Pakistan-China relations as one of the top priority of its foreign relations. I would like to work with you to continuously promote Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level”, he added.

In a similar message, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, to his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi, also conveyed warm greetings to the government and the people of Pakistan on the Day, stating that his country attached great importance to developing relations with Pakistan and is ready to work with Pakistan to further build the CPEC and push bilateral relations to new heights.