For two consecutive years, President Xi Jinping’s first visit of the year has made the world hear the sound of the advancement of the “Belt and Road” construction——

In January 2016, President Xi Jinping paid state visits to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran, allowing the world to further see the comprehensive advancement and intensive cultivation of China's diplomatic global layout, and the vigorous development of the "Belt and Road" construction journey. In April 2015, the first stop of President Xi Jinping’s visit was his “iron brother” Pakistan. During the visit, China-Pakistan relations were upgraded to an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. The two sides determined the "1 4" cooperation layout with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as the center and Gwadar Port, energy, transportation infrastructure, and industrial cooperation as the focus. More than 50 cooperation agreements were signed, including more than 30 outcome documents on the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, opening up a new situation in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is located at the intersection of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It is known as the flagship project and pioneer project of the "Belt and Road Initiative". President Xi Jinping has emphasized many times: "One minute deployment, nine points implementation, China's words must count." After President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan, the secretariats of both sides of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Committee held six video conferences and two working group meetings to implement the results of the visit.

In November 2015, the fifth meeting of the Joint Committee was held in Karachi, Pakistan. Under the co-chairmanship of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Planning and Development of Pakistan, the two parties reviewed the progress of major projects over the past year, made work arrangements to achieve the set goals for the year, and promoted the rapid implementation of many projects.

On January 15 this year, the Pakistani government decided to establish a Steering Committee for the Construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Prime Minister Sharif personally serves as the chairman. Its members include the Chairman of the Congressional Committee on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Federal Minister of Planning and Development, the Minister of Water Resources, the Minister of Railways, the Minister of Transport, and the chief ministers of each province. The meeting also decided that in accordance with the principle of "one corridor, multiple channels", priority will be given to the construction of the western channel of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and it will be completed before July 15, 2018.

Fruitful results——

Create a true flagship

Opening the world map, we can see that Pakistan’s territory is like a corridor, a land corridor connecting China and the Arabian Sea. From another dimension, this is not only an economic corridor connecting China and Pakistan, but also a bridge connecting China and the world. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is constantly enriching the connotation of the China-Pakistan community with a shared future and will play an exemplary role in building a community with a shared future between China and neighboring countries.

Since 2015, as the leading unit of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, the National Development and Reform Commission has worked closely with the Ministry of Planning and Development, the counterpart unit of Pakistan, to seize favorable opportunities and coordinate the preparation of the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Vision Plan" and other work. Under the overall coordination of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Committee, the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Railway Administration, the National Energy Administration and other departments, financial institutions and related enterprises have worked together with relevant Pakistani departments to implement the arrangements for ongoing projects, priority projects and the implementation of funds, and have made substantial progress in many aspects.

"The two governments have a high degree of cooperation and support during the project promotion process. Among them, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Chinese Secretariat have played a vital coordination and promotion role. When the project progress encountered setbacks, they cheered for our company and tried their best to solve various practical difficulties and create good conditions." Zhang Baozhong, chairman and president of China Overseas Ports Holdings Co., Ltd., said with deep emotion. On December 21 last year, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's first integrated coal and electricity project, the Thar Coalfield Area 2 coal mine and power station project, signed a financing agreement in Beijing. The total investment in the project exceeded US$2 billion. It is the first integrated coal and electricity project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and even in Pakistan. On December 22 last year, the business contracts for two major highway projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor - the Karachi-Lahore Expressway (Sukkur-Multan Section) and the Karakoram Highway Upgrading Phase II (Havilian-Takot Section) were officially signed, marking the formal implementation of these two projects. The contract values ​​of these two projects are US$2.89 billion and US$1.315 billion respectively, and they are constructed by China Construction Engineering Corporation Limited and China Communications Construction Company Limited respectively. Once completed, these two early harvest projects will greatly facilitate transportation between north and south of Pakistan.

On January 10 this year, on the banks of the Jiram River more than 50 kilometers away from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, the main project of the Karot Hydropower Station constructed by China Three Gorges Corporation started. This is the first hydropower investment project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the first project of the Silk Road Fund. The project has an installed capacity of 720,000 kilowatts and a total investment of approximately US$1.65 billion. Upon completion, it will provide Pakistan with 3.174 billion kilowatt hours of clean energy every year. China Three Gorges Corporation, which is undertaking the project, also successfully obtained the development rights for the Kohala Hydropower Station Project, a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, at the end of last year. The project will enter the comprehensive advancement stage this year.

Notable developments include the commencement of construction of the coal-fired emergency power station in Port Qasim, the closing of financing for the first phase of the ZTE Solar Ground Power Station, Dawo Wind Power, and UEP United Energy wind power projects, the signing of a loan agreement for the Lahore Urban Rail Orange Line project, and the official launch of the Thar Coalfield Zone 2 coal mine and power station project...

Behind this string of achievements and each signing ceremony is the unremitting efforts and dedication of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Committee and the secretariats of both parties. The results achieved are not only the result of the joint efforts of both parties, but also a concrete reflection of the early gains achieved by the corridor. Today, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is becoming the most important platform and starting point for comprehensively deepening practical cooperation between the two countries, and has become a veritable flagship project of the "Belt and Road" construction. Masood Khalid, Pakistan's ambassador to China, spoke highly of this: "The corridor will help optimize trade and energy cooperation between China, Pakistan and the region, benefiting 3 billion people in China, South Asia and the Middle East. The corridor is a catalyst for regional economic integration and is conducive to regional peace and stability."

Build consensus——

Feel the pulse of development and prosperity

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor extends from Gwadar Port to the northeast and connects with the Kashgar region of Xinjiang, China, connecting China and Pakistan. The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an important consensus reached by the leaders of China and Pakistan. It is also the fundamental interest, future and destiny of the two peoples:

——This is a corridor of unity. The various projects planned in the corridor have united people from all regions of Pakistan to pursue prosperity and development.

Since the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the flagship project of the “Belt and Road Initiative”, all regions in Pakistan hope that the corridor will pass in front of their homes. “In Pakistan, every region will raise their hands and say, I also want this road to pass through our region.” Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz believes that this is precisely because he has seen the huge economic effects brought by the construction of the “Belt and Road”.

——This is a corridor of development. Through the construction of industrial parks and reasonable distribution of points, and then from points to lines, and from lines to surfaces, the corridor is built into an economic development belt, thus driving the economic development of the entire Pakistan.

Currently, Pakistan’s total installed electricity capacity is approximately 23.7 million kilowatts. At the signing ceremony last April, energy projects accounted for half of the 51 agreements. Solar power, hydropower, wind power, thermal power... The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor currently has 21 energy cooperation projects with a total installed capacity of 17.04 million kilowatts, which will greatly improve Pakistan's tight power supply situation. Soon, the world's largest photovoltaic power station will rise from the ground, and together with other energy projects, will bring light to thousands of households in Pakistan.

- This is a prosperous corridor. Cooperation in energy and infrastructure construction as well as other areas within the corridor plan will promote economic prosperity in areas along the route. Promoting corridor planning and construction in a balanced and comprehensive manner will surely give Pakistan a prosperous future.

The Qasim coal-fired power station project is located in the Port Qasim Industrial Park, about 37 kilometers southeast of Karachi, close to the tidal flats along the Arabian Sea. The power plant uses two 660-megawatt supercritical units. After entering commercial operation at the end of June 2018, the average annual power generation will be approximately 9 billion kilowatt-hours, which will greatly improve the local power supply situation and improve the quality of life of the people.

"The project advancement process has allowed us to experience true all-weather friendship and all-round cooperation. From April 20 last year, when the Implementation Agreement and Power Purchase Agreement were officially signed under the witness of President Xi Jinping, to December 22 when project financing was closed. In seven months, the project completed the bidding for all contracts. Our current main The main construction tasks are pile foundation work, foundation excavation and foundation concrete pouring. All civil works are expected to be completed by the end of March. The relevant government departments of both countries are sparing no effort and doing their best," said Cai Bin, general manager of China Power Construction Group's Port Qasim Power Generation Co., Ltd.

At the groundbreaking ceremony of the Qasim Power Station, Prime Minister Sharif said emotionally: "Pakistan will gain light and usher in an era when every household is brightly lit. I hope that the light can shine on every city and every village in Pakistan. At the same time, employment opportunities and prosperity will be brought to every inch of Pakistan."

In the past, Pakistan provided China with air corridors to connect with the world and supported China in restoring its lawful seat in the United Nations. Today, the economic corridor jointly built by China and Pakistan is like an artery running through the entire territory of Pakistan, spreading the rhythm of development and prosperity to every corner.

Sincere cooperation——

Join hands in the journey to pursue dreams

In Bahawalpur, on the edge of the Thar Desert in eastern Pakistan, the summer temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius, and the power goes out for more than 12 hours a day, making the people miserable. To solve the problem of power supply, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has the unshirkable responsibility. The ZTE Energy 900 MW photovoltaic ground power station project in the Jinnah Solar Industrial Park is a priority implementation project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Construction was officially started during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan. This is the first photovoltaic power station in Pakistan and one of the largest single photovoltaic power generation projects in the world.

The 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power generation project in the Jinnah Solar Industrial Park was fully completed last year and had generated a total of 120 million kilowatt-hours of electricity by the end of last year. The engineering and technical personnel of TBEA Xinjiang New Energy Co., Ltd. overcame raging sandstorms, scorching heat, and loneliness away from their loved ones to deliver clean electricity to thousands of homes in Pakistan, bringing light and coolness to the local people, completely changing the local landscape.

The construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a long-term, systematic project that requires scientific planning and gradual advancement and implementation. When talking about project advancement, Cai Bin said that although the overall progress of the Qasim Coal-fired Power Station project was smooth, it encountered some difficulties in the registration of the Land Lease Agreement, the progress of the power delivery project and the clearance of equipment imports. The construction period may be affected. Currently, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other departments are helping with communication and coordination, and I believe the problem can be successfully resolved.

As the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is in full swing, many Chinese engineering and technical personnel have taken "building the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor well, benefiting the people of Pakistan, and spreading China-Pakistan friendship" as their mission, regardless of their personal safety, and silently devoting their light and heat with their youth, sweat and knowledge on the land of Pakistan.

The footsteps of the builders have also become witnesses of the friendship between China and Pakistan. Because it is located in a mountainous area with complex terrain conditions, aerial survey was used for the second phase of the Karakoram Highway upgrade (the section from Havelian to Thako). After receiving the task, Xiao Xiongjie of China Road and Bridge Corporation's Pakistan office was under increasing pressure. In northern Pakistan, it is already deep winter in December. We set off at 6 o'clock every morning and it takes several hours to reach the site. At night, I had to continue sorting out the day’s pictures and arranging the schedule for the next day, and before I knew it, it was late at night. After a few days, Xiao Xiongjie's hands were covered with frostbite and his new shoes were worn out. Even local employees joked: "I grew up here and it's a bit overwhelming, but how can you always stay motivated?" "Actually, as long as you have that faith in your heart, you can persevere no matter what difficulties you encounter." When the last 20 kilometers of drone aerial survey was successfully completed, Xiao Xiongjie, who was lying exhausted in the car, showed a bright smile. There is a proverb in Pakistan: "The wind does not always blow in the direction that sailors want." As long as you persist, your dreams will always come true. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will not only change the face of Pakistan, but will also have a profound impact on the entire region, as President Hussein expected.

Interconnection——

A project that will benefit future generations

As the Chinese and Pakistani governments emphasized in a joint statement in April last year, "The planned development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will cover all regions of Pakistan, benefit all people of Pakistan, and promote the common development and prosperity of China and Pakistan and other countries in the region."

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is not only a strategic project, but also a major people's livelihood and popular support project. While developing the local area, Chinese companies have not forgotten to fulfill their social responsibilities and implemented a series of local livelihood projects in a targeted manner, which not only benefits the local people but also creates a good image of China.

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the main body of the Karot Hydropower Station project, people were surprised to find that although most of the land had been leveled, every tree on the site had been carefully protected. "The company attaches great importance to the implementation of environmental protection concepts, and will also avoid these trees when constructing relevant factories. During the construction process, surrounding vegetation and original ecology will be protected as much as possible. The future hydropower station dam will also reserve carefully calculated ecological drainage holes to allow rare species in the river to pass." The introduction by Shen Yang, deputy general manager of the Pakistan Karot Project of the Yangtze Three Gorges Technological and Economic Development Co., Ltd. moved everyone.

Hassan, a local employee working on the Karot Hydropower Station project, said: "Chinese companies have made more Pakistani people truly understand the profound meaning of Pakistan-China friendship through the simplest and most practical contributions. Chinese companies have provided more help to improve the living standards of local people and also provided important support for Pakistan's economic development. Thank you to the Chinese companies for their sincere contributions!"

On November 11 last year, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Faquer Public Primary School in the Gwadar region of China and Pakistan, which was built with assistance from the China Peace and Development Foundation. The fate of many local children from poor families has changed forever. Rizwan is a little boy from a nearby fishing village who cannot afford to go to school because of his poor family. When he heard that a school was going to be built here, he said excitedly: "I hope the school will be built as soon as possible so that my brother does not have to walk so far to go to school. I also want to save some money and go back to school to learn navigation and fishing skills. I hope to own my own fishing boat in the future."

"We donated school buses to local schools, set up scholarships, established Faquer Public Primary School, and are planning to build a children's paradise this year. Through these public welfare projects, we will get closer to the local people and let the Chinese brand be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people." Zhang Baozhong said.

Currently, the annual trade volume between China and Pakistan has exceeded US$15 billion, and the two sides will strive to increase the trade volume to US$20 billion within three years, but this is far from enough. We need to more closely connect the economic and trade strategies of the two countries and deepen economic integration. Aziz, National Security and Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, said that the construction of the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor reflects the development-oriented philosophy of the leaders of both parties, and the advancement of this project will change the destiny of this region.

2016 is the first year for China to implement its 13th Five-Year Plan, and it is also a critical year for structural reforms. The joint construction of the "Belt and Road" is China's initiative, a Chinese plan to promote global development cooperation, and a common aspiration between China and countries along the route. It is also an important driving force for accelerating regional economic integration and economic globalization.

The Chinese dream is closely connected with Pakistan's Asian Tiger dream. If the development strategies of the two countries are more closely integrated, the future of China-Pakistan community with a shared future will be even better.

The future can be expected, and the future can even be created. (Reporter Meng Xianglin)

"People's Daily" (Page 03, February 2, 2016)