CPEC contributes 2.5 pct in Pakistan's GDP: Chinese envoy

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) contributing 2.5 percent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Pakistan.

Speaking at a gathering in China’s embassy in Islamabad Mr Yao Jing said that the “CPEC is not a strategic design or a secret plan. We only want to help our friend Pakistan.”

Ambassador Yao Jing said that Pakistan and China agreed over further expansion of the CPEC during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit of China.

Chinese Ambassador also said that the bilateral cooperation in defence, corporate and social sectors will remain continued.

He said his country has invested around 19 bln dollars in various CPEC projects in Pakistan so far. Presently, the work has been ongoing in 22 projects of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said.

Around 7000 Pakistani citizens are working in various projects of CPEC, the envoy further said.

Chinese envoy said that Pakistan’s 65 percent population comprises of youth and this young population could play a pivotal role in the development of the country.

Ambassador Yao Jing also informed the gathering that his country has lifted around 400 mln people out of poverty during the last four decades.

The Chinese envoy in an earlier talk had urged the Pakistani nation to support the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project for progress and economic stability of the country.