Asim Bajwa, Chinese envoy vow to transform region through CPEC.

ISLAMABAD -- Chairman China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Asim Saleem Bajwa and Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong yesterday vowed to transform region through the multi-billion-dollar CPEC.

Speaking at an online awarding ceremony for outstanding Pakistani staff of CPEC projects here, they said that the CPEC was beneficial for Pakistan, China and the whole region.

Asim Saleem Bajwa said despite coronavirus, all CPEC projects were moving forward at a fast pace, bringing hope for a future of peace and economic growth.

The CPEC Authority chief said that the CPEC was a major pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative.

He said the CPEC projects covered roads, railways, airports, thermal power, hydropower, renewable energy, Gwadar Port, special economic zones and other areas.

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Bajwa said that infrastructure investment and construction would be a key to reviving the jobs market and national economies.

'I am proud of the winners of the CPEC award. I am especially happy as some of the winners can speak good Chinese. This means they have mingled well with the Chinese counterparts,' he said.

Bajwa said the government and the people of Pakistan supported the CPEC and were ready to complete the plan as per the schedule.

In his speech, Ambassador Nong Rong said that CPEC was an important pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative and a demonstration project of China-Pakistan cooperation.

'It is significant to deepen the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership for building a closer community of shared future, and the realization of high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative,' he added.

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He said during the past 5 years since President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan, the CPEC had achieved great success and made tremendous contributions to the development of Pakistan and regional connectivity under the joint efforts of the governments, enterprises, and all walks of life from both countries.

'Based on consensus of both the governments, we further expand the CEPC cooperation from Gwadar Port, energy, infrastructure development and industrial cooperation to new areas of agriculture, science and technology, social economy and international cooperation,' he maintained.

In this year, the envoy said, the CPEC projects had achieved major progress despite the adversity challenge brought by COVID-19 pandemic.

'It has...