ISLAMABAD, MAR 23 (DNA) – Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid said today that both China and Pakistan have agreed to establish nine industrial parks in Pakistan under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework and hoped that at least two or three special economic zones could be built this year.

“Outcome of the CPEC is the establishment of many industrial parks and special economic zones. Both the countries have agreed to establish nine industrial parks in Pakistan,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Chinese Edition of “Chine.com.cn.”

He said that China’s experience in establishing special economic zones has been very successful, he said and added, “We hope that at least two or three special economic zones can be built this year, which means that we will build manufacturing centers, joint ventures, which will give people employment opportunities,” he added.

Ambassador Khalid said that the CPEC has brought work to more than 60,000 people in Pakistan. This is the result of the already-launched project, adding, the development of more projects under the Economic Corridor and the Belt and Road Initiative will lead to more job opportunities, per capita income will also increase, the government will have more funds for the construction of roads, hospitals and schools.

Terming it a holistic and comprehensive process, he said, through continuous and sustained efforts, we can solve the problem of poverty and hope that we can learn from China’s experience in this regard.

He said, Pakistan and China are old friends and their all-weather strategic partnership is based on mutual respect and mutual trust, adding, “Our relationship is very broad and diversified.”

“We have cooperation in many fields, bilateral cooperation, regional cooperation, and cooperation in international forums,” he added.

Ambassador Khalid said, in the past three to four years, we implemented the CPEC project, which is a pilot project and a new project under President Xi Jinping’s “One Belt One Road” initiative.

He opined that President Xi’s “One Belt and One Road” initiative, with a vision for the future and great foresight, will bring peace to this world. Therefore, interconnection will also promote our mutual trust.

Pakistan and China have carried out close cooperation on economic corridor projects, and many projects are steadily advancing.

He informed that about 22 projects are currently being implemented in Pakistan. These projects have the participation of Chinese friends.

“We very much welcome Chinese friends and thank you for your support and cooperation,” he added.

He said both China and Pakistan are developing countries and they must support each other as the two countries understand the problems and challenges that the other party faces.

Ambassador Khalid said, the relations between China and Pakistan have always been relatively close, and they have been related to regional issues, global issues, development and financial issues, and development.

Pakistan has benefited from China’s development experience, he said and added, “There are many things that we have to study, such as achievements in the development of China, as well as in all areas such as rural development, agriculture, industry, information technology, science and technology, education, and so on.”

He said, in education, for example, the cooperation between our two countries is thriving. There are about 22,000 Pakistani students studying in China. They not only study professional courses, they are still learning Chinese here, so one can imagine that they will be future China-Pakistan friendship ambassadors.=DNA

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