China's financial package for Pakistan, manifestation of all-weather friendship: Envoy

November 15, 2018: China's financial package for Pakistan is a reflection of all-weather and ever-strengthening bilateral ties, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, Lijian Zhao said on Thursday.

He said "Chinese government will not disclose the amount of the financial assistance as presently both countries' experts are working out its modalities."

"China has been extending fiscal help to Pakistan in difficult times in past as well, and we will continue with the same spirit in future too," he added.

The Deputy Chief of Mission pointed out that China's central and commercial banks had kept billions of dollars in the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) reserves for economic stability in the past. "Anyone can check from the SBP record", he added.

About the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said it will be a win-win situation for both the countries, adding “Pakistan will be more beneficiary from the CPEC and Chinese companies working here will also get reasonable profit from it."

 “China invested $19 billion in Pakistan. Out of the total 200,000 jobs created across the BRI countries, Pakistan got the biggest share as 75,000 jobs were created only in Pakistan, thus making Pakistan the biggest destination overseas for the Chinese investment,” he added.

He said, "If we consider the CPEC an airplane, Pakistan is its pilot". He said China has no objection to include any other country in the CPEC, as some countries have also their shares in some projects being carried out under the CPEC. "We want participation of other countries in the CPEC," he added.

(APP)