Western parts to be included in 2nd phase of CPEC: China.

PESHAWAR -- Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing on Tuesday visited Area Study Centre for Russia, China and Central Asia, University of Peshawar for a round table conference on BRI, CPEC and Peace Prospects in Afghanistan.

The conference was attended by Gen (retd) Asad Durrani, Prof Dr Azmat Hayat, Rahimullah Yousafzai, Rustam Shah Mohmand, Brig (retd) Saad, Brig (retd) Mehmood Shah, Muhammad Abid, Pro-vice chancellor University of Peshawar, Dr. Zahid Gul, and faculty members and scholars.

The Ambassador of China to Pakistan said that China has comprehensive relations with Pakistan and CPEC is just a part of that. China wants to help Pakistan overcome the socio-economic under-development. Western parts of Pakistan particularly the less developed areas would be focused upon in the next phase of CPEC, the Ambassador said.

The CPEC related projects are purely demand driven and approved by JCC after submission by the Government of Pakistan. He furthered that Afghanistan's role is central to the success of BRI and therefore peace in Afghanistan is essential for regional economic integration for shared growth and prosperity inter and intra-regionally.

The political settlement between the Afghan government and Taliban will have positive impact on the development of Afghanistan, region and regional integration.

He also said that China totally supports Pakistan's efforts and role in the peace process of Afghanistan.

The Ambassador has already given his consent to provide financial assistance to the Area Study Centre, for establishing Chinese Language Lab and for holding international conference on BRI, CPEC and Trans-Regional Integration in April this year.

Earlier, in his welcome address Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Director Area Study Centre said that the regional geo-economic and geo-strategic configuration has been changed.

Pakistan has overturned the inherited Frontier Policy and Russia across the Amu-Darya is rather a strategic partner now. The historical Russia-India convergence over Afghanistan has long been ceased.

America has lost power and influence over decision making in Pakistan while Russia has lost the same over decision making in India.

The only exception in this changed regional geo-political scenario is the ever green Pak-China relationship which is further augmented.

He said that China has been transforming the historical bilateral strategic and political relations into economic partnership...