China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Accelerates Upgrading

The China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital in Gwadar, Balochistan Province, southwestern Pakistan.

Recently, Pakistani President Zardari paid a state visit to China. During the visit, the two sides signed more than ten cooperation agreements covering various fields, including the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), trade, technology, livelihoods, and media. For a long time, China and Pakistan have mutually understood and supported each other, continuously deepening strategic trust and pragmatic cooperation. The partnership between China and Pakistan has withstood every test, and the ironclad friendship between the two countries remains unbreakable.

Over the years, the construction of the CPEC has achieved remarkable results, with recent highlights drawing attention. On January 20, 2025, the new international airport in Gwadar, Balochistan Province, welcomed its first commercial flight, marking the official operation of Pakistan’s largest international airport, built with Chinese assistance. Meanwhile, the Lahore Orange Line metro project continues to operate steadily, providing tangible convenience to the local population. China and Pakistan are continuously strengthening win-win cooperation, working towards an upgraded version of the CPEC, accelerating the establishment of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and bringing more benefits to the people of both countries.

Beyond large-scale projects, people-centered initiatives serve as a bridge of friendship between China and Pakistan. In the past six months, the China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital has treated more than 150,000 patients, with its CT facilities serving 176 patients. At the end of January this year, the hospital launched a blood bank service, further enhancing medical services in the Gwadar region. Schools, hospitals, and other livelihood projects have been implemented across various CPEC initiatives, providing tangible benefits and security to the local people.

During the 2025 Chinese New Year, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz sent video greetings to the Chinese government, people, and Chinese expatriates in Pakistan, expressing his hope to work with China to build a better world. Shehbaz stated that the deep friendship between the two countries, rooted in mutual trust and a shared vision, has now evolved into an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. He emphasized that the ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan has always been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, reflecting the principles of mutual respect and equal cooperation between the two nations. He expressed his hope that China and Pakistan would continue to work together unwaveringly to build a better world and contribute to global peace, prosperity, and harmony.

With the continued deepening of pragmatic cooperation between China and Pakistan, the CPEC has now become a testament to the friendship between the two countries. The people of both nations continue to reap the benefits of the corridor’s high-quality development, and the enduring China-Pakistan friendship continues to yield new achievements.

Source：https://www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/p/0UREAT98.html

Editor & Translator:Li Wei