Your current location:HOME >politics >Pakistan's PM says Belt and Road comes with benefits 正文
TIME:2024-05-22 10:59:36 Source: Internet compilationEdit:politics
Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar addresses the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly
Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar addresses the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, US, Sept 22, 2023. [Photo/Agencies]
Partner: Ties with China are cornerstone of foreign policy
Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has lauded the Belt and Road Initiative for having "advanced inclusive development to reduce poverty and inequality, improved people's ability to pay taxes and enhanced governments' ability to retire their debts".
In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of his first official visit to China, Kakar described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, one of the signature projects under the BRI, as a practical manifestation of win-win cooperation and shared prosperity and a commendable endeavor in building a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
"All these elements also form the bedrock of President Xi Jinping's visionary Belt and Road Initiative," he said.
The Pakistani leader, who took office in August as the eighth caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, is visiting China for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which will be held in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Kakar dismissed theories that the BRI has led participating countries into "debt traps", saying that China is offering "a unique mechanism of development financing to developing countries — which is without conditions and different from the traditional development financing models".
"It is wrong to describe BRI financing as a 'debt trap'; it is rather an essential tool for helping countries in achieving comprehensive and inclusive development of their peoples."
He explained that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has brought about a direct investment of $25.4 billion to Pakistan and created a total of 236,000 jobs, is key to the nation's socioeconomic progress.
"The project underlines an excellent example of an open, coordinated and inclusive development paradigm that benefits all parts of the country and all segments of society," he said, adding that the development of Gwadar Port has already opened new economic opportunities.
"Strategically located, the port is now functional and regularly handling cargo ships including transshipment trade for Afghanistan. A free economic zone is in place offering lucrative incentives for local, Chinese and other international investors," Kakar said, adding that a new international airport will also be inaugurated, bringing the port closer to its vision of serving as the hub of regional trade and connectivity.
Meanwhile, the prime minister emphasized that the "foolproof safety and security of Chinese personnel and institutions is our topmost priority", adding that the Pakistani government has put in place stringent security protocols to safeguard Chinese workers and entrepreneurs.
He cited examples including regular security briefings, risk assessment and information exchanges between the two nations, in order to identify potential threats and come up with solutions accordingly.
"These concerted efforts underline Pakistan's solid commitment to provide a secure environment for our Chinese brothers and sisters, who are contributing to Pakistan's socioeconomic development and progress."
Kakar said he has high expectations for the forum, during which he will meet with Chinese leaders.
"It has provided both our countries with a stage to reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation and development, while highlighting the successes, reviewing the lessons learned and charting the future trajectory of the CPEC," he said.
"Our relations with China form the cornerstone of our foreign policy. I am here to reaffirm our commitment to this all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," Kakar said, describing China as a strategic and trustworthy development partner.
He also spoke highly of China's remarkable achievement in having lifted more than 800 million people from abject poverty, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
"Like China, Pakistan too is a developing country, with a population of 240 million. There is so much that we can learn from China to put our nation on a path of sustainable development."
Slovak Parliament votes to condemn political violence after assassination attempt on prime minister2024-05-22 10:27
Inspired by the times2024-05-22 10:18
China launches experimental satellites to advance 6G tech2024-05-22 10:15
China to join Cobra Gold 2024 military exercise in Thailand2024-05-22 10:14
Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Afghanistan nearly 3 years after the Taliban captured Kabul2024-05-22 09:55
Targeted education program empowers rural development in Qinghai2024-05-22 09:53
China to join Cobra Gold 2024 military exercise in Thailand2024-05-22 09:41
Insights丨Former official of WEF: China's economic shift promising through sustainable development2024-05-22 09:36
Police break up pro2024-05-22 08:50
Xi Sends Congratulatory Letter to 2023 Imperial Springs Int'l Forum2024-05-22 08:23
Kansas takes control in the ninth and beats Kansas State in the opener of the Big 12 Tournament2024-05-22 10:50
Culture Insider: China's Ghost Festival2024-05-22 10:39
Xi Sends Congratulatory Letter to Liangzhu Forum2024-05-22 10:34
Creative accounting2024-05-22 10:08
UK court rules that extension of UK police powers to intervene in protests is unlawful2024-05-22 10:04
Xi Says Ready to Boost Mutually Beneficial Cooperation with Liberia2024-05-22 10:01
The Forbidden City hosted the Tea&World2024-05-22 09:55
Young people from many countries experienced intangible cultural heritage projects in Kunming2024-05-22 09:44
Ecuador: Fire department honors five rescue dogs during retirement2024-05-22 09:28
Special performance for artists with Plum Performance Award and Peony Award was held2024-05-22 08:58