ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong has reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), describing it as the “cornerstone” of Pakistan’s shift toward a geo-economic future and a potential driver of regional connectivity reaching as far as Afghanistan, Iran, and beyond.
Speaking at the “CPEC in My Eyes” forum in Islamabad on Wednesday, the envoy said the project was perfectly aligned with Pakistan’s national development goals and could serve as a bridge linking Central, South, and West Asia. “With our all-weather partnership and CPEC as the backbone, Pakistan has the capacity to extend this corridor, strengthen regional trade, and boost its influence, advancing the transition from geopolitics to geo-economics,” Jiang noted.
He described CPEC as a flagship initiative under China’s Belt and Road framework, crediting it with building the foundation for Pakistan’s economic progress. Since the launch of the “1+4” cooperation model in 2013, the corridor has expanded into a multi-sector programme with 11 dedicated working groups, covering infrastructure, energy, industry, and social development.
Highlighting its achievements, Jiang said CPEC had delivered $25.4 billion in direct investment to Pakistan, constructed over 500 kilometres of motorways, added more than 8,000 megawatts to the national power grid, and installed 886 kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines. Projects such as Gwadar Port’s modernization, the Sukkur-Multan Motorway, and multiple energy plants have, he said, “transformed Pakistan’s development landscape.”
The ambassador also underscored the strategic rise of Gwadar as a hub for trade and logistics. He pointed to the completion of the East Bay Expressway, the new Gwadar International Airport built to international 4F standards, and port upgrades that have created a multi-modal transport network. Social projects in the city, including the Friendship Hospital, a large-scale desalination plant, and a vocational training institute, have directly benefited local communities.
According to Jiang, CPEC is now entering an “enhanced phase” with five thematic corridors — growth, livelihood, innovation, green, and open — designed to expand its scope and impact.
Rejecting scepticism over the project’s pace or benefits, he dismissed criticism as unfounded and politically motivated. “After more than a decade of work, CPEC stands as the earliest, most extensive, and most productive flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, and a symbol of China-Pakistan friendship,” Jiang said.
