Backing Pakistan ‘Core Interests,’ China V-P inks pacts to diversify CPEC

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, has said the two nations will “always stay iron brothers” and focused on expanding China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC).

Wang, known for his close ties with President Xi Jinping, is the first senior Chinese leader to visit Pakistan after Beijing dropped its objection to UN blacklisting Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

On Sunday, Wang signed a slew of pacts in Islamabad to expand sectors under the $60-billion CPEC project, which was initiated by Xi. India is opposed to the CPEC as it passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.


The diversification of CPEC is being seen as a reaffirmation of China’s backing of Pakistan. “No matter how the international landscape changes, China and Pakistan will always stay iron brothers that trust and support each other,” Wang said at a meeting, noting that Beijing had always supported Pakistan in its “core interests”.

The same day, Wang also spoke at a meeting of “Friends of Silk Road” hosted by the Pakistan-China Institute.

“CPEC is a consensus that transcends political parties, regions and communities across Pakistan. It also enjoys the most extensive and strongest support in China,” Wang said.

Beijing had recently hosted the first meeting of the Political Parties Forum on the CPEC, which was attended by 10 major political parties of Pakistan amid rising protests against the initiative. The meeting had concluded with the Beijing Declaration.

"CPEC will produce new outcomes and lend new impetus to economic and social development of Pakistan and economic integration of the region,” Wang said at the institute.

The two sides signed a framework agreement on agricultural cooperation, the memorandum on the requirements of foot and mouth disease-free zone; the letter of exchange of disaster relief goods, China-Pakistan economic agreement, and the agreement between the China Machinery Engineering Corporation and the Balochistan government. Several projects were inaugurated, including one to set up a 660KV transmission line between Matiari and Lahore, the Rashakai Special Economic Zone project, Huawei Technical Support Centre, and Confucius Institute at University of Punjab.

Pakistan President Arif Alvi conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan, the highest civil award of the country, on Wang.