Chinese envoy pledges to jointly advance CPEC 2.0, upgrade bilateral FTA

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong have reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s unity, stability, and development, while pledging to jointly advance the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0 and upgrade the bilateral Free Trade Agreement to expand economic opportunities.

Speaking at a media interaction in Chinese embassy here on the outcomes of the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin, the envoy highlighted China’s leading role in shaping a new era of multilateral cooperation and regional integration.

The Tianjin Summit, the largest in SCO history, was attended by over 20 heads of state and government alongside 10 international organizations. Ambassador Jiang said the summit produced eight landmark outcomes, including the adoption of the SCO Development Strategy for the next decade, the creation of four new security centers to counter emerging threats, and the political decision to establish an SCO Development Bank.

The Ambassador outlined China’s initiatives to boost practical cooperation, including 100 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, RMB 2 billion in grants, RMB 10 billion in loans, new scholarships, and the establishment of Luban Workshops and training programs across member states. China also announced major clean-energy projects, including “ten-million-kW” solar and wind-power initiatives.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong underscored Beijing’s commitment to multilateralism, peaceful dispute resolution, and global development through President Xi Jinping’s four initiatives—the Global Governance Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative—which together aim to strengthen fairness, cooperation, and shared progress worldwide.

Turning to China-Pakistan relations, he stressed that President Xi Jinping’s recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the “ironclad” friendship between the two nations, built on trust, resilience, and shared values. He said cooperation would intensify in industry, agriculture, and mining to enhance Pakistan’s self-reliance, while Islamabad was urged to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects.

“The China-Pakistan partnership is a cornerstone for regional peace and development,” he said, adding that the vision of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future would benefit both peoples and serve as a model for broader neighbourhood cooperation.

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