Symposium in Beijing: opportunities, challenges of Pak-China economic corridor discussed

Pakistan China Institute in collaboration with China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) held a symposium in Beijing, which was attended by leading scholars and experts on China Pakistan relations. Masood Khalid, Pakistan's Ambassador to China was prominent guest of the seminar.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman Pakistan China Institute, who led Pakistani delegation, highlighted the geo-strategic situation and emphasised China is a driving force of the Asian century adding that China Pakistan Economic corridor will initiate a new of era of strategic co-operative partnership between Pakistan and China. The road and rail links will further strengthen the existing bond of brotherhood.
Speaking on this occasion, Dong Manyuan, Vice President CIIS, said China Pakistan Economic Corridor from Kashgar to Gwadar will integrate the economies of the two friendly countries. According to a message received here, Masood Khalid, Pakistan's Ambassador to China said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is network of road and rail links starting from China's Xinjiang to Pakistan's Gwadar Port. China Pakistan economic corridor will transform Pakistan into a hub of trade and commerce as this project envisages establishing several economic zones and physical links connecting Pakistan and China as well the region.
He further added that in this regard, a task force and secretariat has been established while team of Pakistan will visit China soon for further discussion on this project. Ambassador said CPEC is both a long term and short strategic plan of China Pakistan envisaged by Chinese Premire Li Keqiang. China Pakistan Economic corridor is a mega project with a cluster of industrial parks and economic zones, he noted. He further added that visit of Chinese Premier to Pakistan and reciprocating visit by Pakistani Prime Minister in July 2013 shows the interest and strong political will of the two governments to implement this strategic project.
Lin Dajian from NDRC highlighted the security issues and challenges that could impede the speed of project. She also added that the project would help bring investment and boost trade and commerce not only in China and Pakistan but also in the region. Ahmed Bilal, President PILDAT and Muhammad Arif, Editor Nihao-Salam were also part of the Pakistani delegation while the Chinese delegation consisted of Dong Manyuan, Vice President China Institute of International Studies, Lin Dajian, Vice Director General, Department of International Co-operation, National Development and Reform Commission, Zhou Gang, former Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Liu Pengfei, Department for Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC and Lan Jianxue, Li Qingyan, Wang Youming, Xu Hangtian, Zheng Ruixing, Research Fellows at CIIS.
Other scholars also highlighted the various aspects of China Pakistan Corridor from the vision to political will, from feasibility to implementation, from opportunities to challenges. The participants were of the view that China Pakistan economic corridor can benefit new emerging regional co-operation in greater South Asia driven primarily by economy and energy, and building of pipelines and ports with roads rail infrastructure, all which can transform the lives and future of the region.-PR