Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong stated on Friday that both China and Pakistan remain committed to the timely completion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project.
Pakistan and China share strong bilateral ties, with China supporting Pakistan through various investments and infrastructure projects, particularly under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has been described as vital to Pakistan’s economic development.
In September last year, China pledged to assist Pakistan in completing four key projects in the transportation and communication sectors. The two nations are jointly working on the completion of ML-1, M-6, and M-9, along with the second phase of KKH and the construction of Kaghan-Naran, Jhal Khand, Babusar Top, and a tunnel leading to KKH.
Speaking at a press briefing on the ‘Two Sessions for 2025’ at the Chinese Consulate General, Yang emphasized, “Both countries are making extensive efforts to ensure these projects are completed.”
He highlighted the completion of the new international airport in Gwadar last year, stating that it would create further economic opportunities. He added that China and Pakistan are actively promoting the use of Gwadar Port for trade activities.
The ‘Two Sessions’ is an annual event crucial to China’s economic and social policy planning. Yang noted that China successfully met its key economic and social development objectives for 2024.
“Chinese modernization has achieved remarkable progress, with high-quality development continuing at a steady pace and new productive forces growing rapidly,” he stated, predicting that China’s GDP growth would reach approximately 5%.
He further explained that China remains committed to expanding its global economic presence through high-standard openness and deeper cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative.
“These initiatives will provide fresh opportunities for global development through China’s modernization progress,” he remarked.
Yang also emphasized China’s commitment to an independent and peaceful foreign policy. He stated that China aims to foster a balanced, multipolar world and promote inclusive economic globalization through genuine multilateralism.
“China is ready to collaborate with other nations to build a fair and orderly global framework, tackle major global challenges, and generate new development opportunities worldwide,” he said.
He also noted that 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan and that next year, the two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
“China-Pakistan relations have entered an important phase of development. It is essential for both nations to enhance communication, deepen cooperation in multiple sectors, and upgrade CPEC,” Yang emphasized.
He concluded, “Together, we aim to take significant strides towards modernization, strengthen the China-Pakistan community with a shared future, and create a more prosperous and stable tomorrow.”
The ML-1 railway, which connects Karachi to Peshawar, is a vital component of CPEC. Both China and Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment in October 2024 to advancing the long-awaited upgrade of this railway project.
Previously, Pakistan’s Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, mentioned that the government might self-finance the ML-1 project if international funding or partnerships are not secured. His statement came as Pakistan awaited the visit of a high-level Chinese technical team, expected by the end of March, to discuss the project’s implementation.
