Chinese diplomat refutes Guardian article, reaffirms support for CPEC

Refuting a Guardian article, a member of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan clarified his stance. He stated that he had not voiced any concerns about the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He also assured that China would continue supporting the multibillion-dollar project. Moreover, he emphasized China’s commitment to the development of Balochistan province.

The leading British newspaper quoted Wang Shengjie, the head of political section at the Embassy of China in Islamabad, as saying, “Some evil forces are against the CPEC, and they want to sabotage it… If this kind of security situation persists, it will hamper development.”

When contacted, Shengjie said, “There is no credibility to such a quotation. Even I didn’t know.”

Read the full story here: Chinese embassy in Pakistan contradicts an article in Guardian News

The Chinese embassy also issued a press release, insisting the quotation of Shengjie Chinese in the Guardian article was completely untrue.
“The rhetoric and wording imposed is obviously not credible, lacking the basic understanding of China’s position. The author’s practice of unilaterally fabricating false information without prior consent for an interview violates professional ethics and breaches basic respect for the common understanding.”

The embassy said China had always supported the construction of Gwadar Port. It also supported the development of Balochistan. It added that, over the past year, we made a series of positive progress. The two countries achieved this through their joint efforts.

According to the embassy, China provided $100,000 in emergency cash assistance for disaster relief work in Balochistan in March last year. In May, it transported 10,000 sets of solar lighting equipment to be distributed in Balochistan. And in June, China handed over the Gwadar China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital and Gwadar desalination plant. In July, it organised a media delegation from Balochistan to visit China.
Also, 20,000 sets of health kits were distributed to Balochistan in August, work on the new Gwadar International Airport was successfully completed in October, delegations from all walks of life in Gwadar were taken to China in November and outstanding Pakistani staff of the CPEC project, including those in Balochistan, were awarded next month. cut into short sentences

“These tangible achievements represent China’s determination and confidence for the development of Gwadar and Balochistan.

“We sincerely hope that China-Pakistan practical cooperation continues,” the statement said. It added that livelihood projects can better benefit the local people.