News @ 3 - 24th Dec 2016

BEIJING: China said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an important component of China’s Belt and Road initiative and it is an ‘open initiative,’ however, it would think about the possibility of introducing other countries in the grand project after reaching a consensus with Pakistan.

When asked to comment on an offer made by Lieutenant General Aamir Riaz calling on India to join the CPEC project, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Friday that it is still a question for India to answer.

“I have seen these reports. I wonder whether the Indian side takes this offer made by the Pakistani general as a goodwill gesture,” she said during a daily media briefing.

She said, “For us, we regard the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a framework for cooperation built by the two sides with a focus on the long-term development of bilateral cooperation in various fields.”

Chunying pinned hope that “CPEC will not only promote the economic and social development of China and Pakistan but also contribute to regional connectivity, peace, stability and prosperity.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said, “In this sense, the CPEC, as an important component of China’s Belt and Road initiative, is an open initiative. “

But, she also clarified that “China would like to discuss the possibility of introducing a third party on the basis of consensus with the Pakistani side through consultation.”