Joint working group of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor holds meeting

A meeting of the Joint Working Group on Socio-economic Development under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Framework was held via video link on Oct 26, 2022. Deng Boqing, vice-chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and Syed Zafar Ali Shah, secretary of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives of Pakistan, co-chaired the meeting.

Deng said that the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partnership has witnessed continuous development under the leadership of both countries. Especially since July this year, when Pakistan suffered from severe floods, the Chinese government promptly provided emergency humanitarian assistance and dispatched disaster evaluation and medical teams to Pakistan. China will provide further support to Pakistan’s post-disaster reconstruction, and is willing to deepen cooperation with Pakistan on the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, and accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a share future, he said.

Zafar said that China has always been a good friend, partner and brother to Pakistan, and that the Pakistani government and people appreciate China’s selfless help and support. Especially in terms of assistance against the COVID-19 pandemic and the floods, China has stood together with Pakistan and forged an unbreakable friendship. He said that Pakistan is willing to closely work with China to implement the consensuses reached between the leaderships of the two countries, promote the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, explore more projects that will benefit the people of both countries, and further solidify the bilateral partnership.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, and Minister of Pakistani Embassy in China Ahmed Farooq, also attended the meeting.