China, Pakistan to further strengthen cooperation

Opening ceremony of the Silk Road Economic Belt–Xinjiang Karamay Forum is held in Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Aug 9, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.con.cn]

Cooperation between China and Pakistan under the framework of China-Pakistan economic corridor has been further strengthened during the on-going Silk Road Economic Belt–Xinjiang Karamay Forum held in Karamay of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

"The China-Pakistan economic corridor is the flagship project of the 'One belt and one road' Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. And it will benefit people of both China and Pakistan."said MushahidHussainSayed, senator of Pakistan and chairman of coordination commission of China-Pakistand economic corridor.

The China-Pakistan economic corridor, initiated by Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Pakistan in May 2013, is built to enforce mutual communication and promote joint development of both countries.

Speaking highly of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, Sayed places high hopes on the prospect of his country's cooperation with China.

"The balance of the economic and political power has shifted from the west to the east and the 21st century is Asia's century. The 'Belt and Road' Initiative will change the fate of Asian people."he said, hoping this year's forum could offer a bigger cooperation platform for both countries to strengthen the win-win relations.

Sayed also expressed his gratitude to the Research and Development International, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS-RDI) for providing substantial services to enterprises and organizations participating in the construction of the economic corridor.

According to Zhao Baige, chairwoman of the Advisory Committee of CASS-RDI, a total of 73 cooperative projects have been dealt between her organization and Pakistan, involving areas from infrastructure, energy, agriculture to trade and finance.

"As a major organizer and promoter of the forum, RDI is aimed to push forward practical cooperation among countries along the Belt and Road by integrating resources of government, parliament, social organization, think tank, enterprises and media."said Zhao.

Sponsored by the government of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Karamay Forum has attracted around 500 leading figures from the Chinese, Pakistani, Iranian and Kazakhstan governments, enterprises and think-tanks.