China Plans to Continue Strategic Partnership with Pakistan & Co-operate with the New Pakistani Government

25 th July, 2018 was a significant day in the history of Pakistan, a day that will determine the course of the country’s future, and of course, the course of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and dealings undertaken between the two countries. There has been great speculation on whether or not this change in the government of Pakistan will impact the dealings of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) or China-Pakistan relationships.

In a recent meeting held on Tuesday, Geng Shuang, a Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Embassy put a definitive end to all such speculations by releasing a statement. The spokesperson has said that the Chinese government is adamant and inclined towards continuing its strategic partnership with Pakistan, and it looks forward to building a harmonious relationship with the new government, formed by Imran Khan, and working together for the successful implementation and working of the CPEC project.

He is reported to have said,
“We are willing to work with the new Pakistani government to continue to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and promote new progress in the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries”.
 
Geng Shuang further went on to talk about the various benefits of the CPEC project and its successful implementation, and how this project is capable of changing the socio-economic status of the citizens of Pakistan. Geng Shuang said that his government and country is ready and willing to work together with the new government in Pakistan and to build relationships based on mutual trust.

He said that China seeks to remain committed to its friendship with Pakistan, and consolidating both, political and economic ties by depending practical cooperation, and achieving greater progress. He went on to say that China and Pakistan share an all-weather strategic partnership, and this relationship will develop with great momentum.

Geng Shuang further highlighted that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a project of strategic cooperation in a framework designed by the leaders of these two nations with a long-term plan of widespread development. The aim of the CPEC framework is to boost economic growth in Pakistan, and improve cooperation between Pakistan and China to achieve mutual development and prosperity.

The spokesperson concluded,
“We believe that the CPEC will make progress steadily in accordance with the consensus between China and Pakistan and stay immune from disruptions from other factors.”
 
Geng Shuang concluded that the benefits of CPEC are an integral and vital influence in boosting the socio-economic developments occurring across Pakistan, and improving living standards across the country.