Chinese CG urges Pakistanis to appreciate sacrifices of Chines
Consul General (CG) of Peoples Republic of China Mr Li Bijian has said that the Chinese companies have provided over 100,000 direct jobs to Pakistani workers in the first phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Pakistanis would benefit with millions of more jobs in the second phase of the CPEC – the pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“Other than contributing to power generation, bringing investments, generating employment and reviving Pakistani economy, the Chinese investors have also brought about a change in the social and economic transformation of Pakistan. Today, hope has defeated despair and Pakistani economy is being rated among a few thriving economies of the world,” said the Chinese diplomat in an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today.
Sitting in a cozy office and wearing traditional Chinese attire, the Chinese CG looked perturbed over the lack of appreciation of the contributions made by the Chinese workers and investors by a section Pakistani media.
The CG said that the Chinese companies have been contributing to the revival of Pakistani economy by purchasing large quantity of the local materials, enabling increasing the country’s exports and employing millions indirectly.
He said the Chinese companies have been contributing to the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
“Chinese companies have built infrastructure projects including highways, power plants, ports, airports and telecommunication facilities etc. Chinese companies also constructed roads, schools, hospitals, clinics, water treatment facilities in Pakistan. The local people have benefitted enormously from these projects,” he said.
Li Bijian said most of the projects of the first phase of CPEC have been completed including the upgradation of Karakorum Highway, Gwadar Port, Optic Fibre cable, dams and power plants which signify China’s contributions for Pakistan’s economic and social development.
The Chinese diplomat, however, lamented that despite all these contributions, there are elements who still blame China for every wrong they come across.
“We need to change the narratives regarding CPEC and China, Pakistan cooperation. We need to tell the people how Chinese companies are helping Pakistan. Chinese companies always adhere to the practice of doing more and speaking less as silence is a robust way to contribute to friendly countries. Outside media, however, plays its tricks and misleads people,” he said.
He said it’s an irony that the outside media says that Chinese companies did no good to Pakistan and some certain people buy the false claims.
“The same western countries refused to come and invest in Pakistan when Pakistan needed the foreign investments. Finally, it were the Chinese who came to Pakistan back in year 2013 when Pakistan was facing worst power shortages was at its peak,” he asserted.
Li said Pakistanis must acknowledge whatever we have done for Pakistan. “Pakistani people must have a sense of appreciation for the Chinese companies. Pakistani people should not be misled by the false outside media propaganda so easily,” he added.
He said that some western media always tries to tarnish the good work done by China in Pakistan.
“Pakistanis must have a sense of justice. Pakistanis must know that things have changed a lot and the whole country of Pakistan has benefited a lot since the CPEC started”.
“When the Chinese companies came here, Pakistan was facing worst times due to load shedding and Pakistani industry was shifting to other countries and investors were moving to Bangladesh, UAE and even India. Now after almost eight years, Pakistan has transformed in power generation and you have surplus electricity today. With exports and incomes growing, Pakistani economy is rising again – thanks to the CPEC,” he said.
Mr Li Bijian deplored the fact that some sections of the Pakistani media, perhaps under the influence of the outside propaganda, also have been making negative reports on CPEC.
