Chinese terms CPEC key component of the Pakistan-China strategic relationship

New Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Yao Jing, termed CPEC as a 'key component of the Pakistan-China strategic relationship.

“I am learning and reading about CPEC, and he underlined that CPEC must benefit local communities where its projects are located,” he told the 3rd CPEC Media Forum in Islamabad. He was the chief guest at inaugural session of the day-long meeting. Mr Jing is here on his third posting, after having served as the deputy chief of mission in New Delhi and Ambassador in Kabul.

He delivered a media-friendly message, saying 'I am ready to meet and brief the media regularly regarding CPEC'. He also announced that a CPEC Expo will be held in Gwadar on January 28, 2018.

The Chinese Ambassador, who arrived in Islamabad on November 16, will present his credentials in early December.

At the concluding session, Senator Mushahid Hussain launched two new research Monographs of the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) on 'Energy Projects under CPEC' & 'CPEC: Fact vs Fiction' under the theme of its series on 'Corridors, Culture & Connectivity'.

He also said while the cultural website of the PCI, youlinmagazine.com, had a circulation of 40,000 while its website on CPEC, cpecinfo.com, with a following of 50,000 was the most popular website providing information on CPEC.

He also the work plan of the CPEC Media Forum with seminars and site visits to CPEC projects to different provinces of Pakistan, in cooperation with local press clubs and annual CPEC Media Awards in print, electronic and photojournalism.

The CPEC Media Forum, which generated much interest, was attended and by 7 media persons from China, and it was called by a 2-hour interactive session of questions, comments and suggestions.