The top Chinese and Pakistani leadership have pledged to develop the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a focus on achieving high quality, Tribune reported.

The matter was discussed in letters exchanged by the presidents and prime ministers of the two countries to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties.

In response to the letter from Pakistan President Arif Alvi, his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping said China and Pakistan stood firmly by each other on issues of core interests and major concerns.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in their congratulatory letters expressed a strong commitment to further strengthen the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership, Tribune reported.

President Xi said the construction of CPEC had produced remarkable results, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries besides providing strong impetus to regional prosperity.

In his letter, President Alvi reaffirmed commitment to building a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era.

Premier Li said his country had consistently given priority to Pakistan in its foreign policy, and was willing to make joint efforts to develop the “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” to a higher level in the next 70 years.

He added that both the countries helped each other in the face of Covid-19.

“We have achieved new progress for the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he said.

He said there were broad prospects to build an even closer community with a shared future in the new era.

In his letter addressed to the Chinese Premier, Imran Khan commended China for their invaluable support to Pakistan in the fight against Covid-19. He reaffirmed his government’s firm commitment to the expeditious completion of CPEC projects.

CPEC is a collection of infrastructure projects that are under construction throughout Pakistan since 2013. Originally valued at USD 47 billion, the projects were estimated to be worth USD 62 billion as of 2020.

(SAM)