Karachi: The beans have been spilt, as a full list of several projects and agreements finalized during 7th Joint Cooperation Council (JCC) held late November have been released.
Chinese diplomat Lijian Zhao in a series of tweets said six documents were signed including Long-Term Plan (LTP) for CPEC to run from 2017-2030, minutes of 7th JCC were given go-ahead by Pakistan and China.
Also, minutes from Joint Working Groups (JWG) on energy, industrial parks and Gwadar also got approved from both Pakistan and China. And among the implementation minutes for New Gwadar International Airport were also finalized.
Following JCC will undertake work on financial arrangement and commercial contract for ML-I Pakistan Railways project, which will see setting up of a high-speed rail link between Peshawar and Karachi. ML-I is the single highest project in CPEC.
Zhao’s tweet read “new infrastructure projects will accelerate talks on signing commercial contracts & financing agreements.”
Also, he further tweeted “NDRC on 7th JCC of CPEC: CPEC entered 2nd phase as 9 industrial parks were included into CPEC. Feasibility study reports of these special economic zones (SEZs) were handed over to Chinese side. 3 SEZs including Rashakai, Dhabeji & M-3 in Faisalabad seemed most feasible.”
Zhao disclosed “NDRC on 7th JCC of CPEC: East Bay Expressway has held ground breaking ceremony. Gwadar power plant & Gwadar Expo will be inaugurated very soon. 6 major projects will be completed in Gwadar Free Zone by early 2018. A medical team and weather station are in place in Gwadar.”
Regarding news of omission of Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Zhao tweeted those views were reflection of one individual only and were inaccurate. He said “DRC on 7th JCC of CPEC: are discussing Basha dam project under CPEC energy expert group. However, it has not been included in list of energy projects.”
And news circulating about Pakistan receiving 9pc revenue from Gwadar port for a period of forty-years was not accurate, said Zhao and” COPHC has invested a lot in Gwadar. The changes in Gwadar port & free zone have shocked many visitors”, the tweet read.
Furthermore; Zhao tweeted NDRC views on 7th JCC of CPEC “China is helping Pakistan to solve energy crisis. 5 power plants including Sahiwal, Bahawalpur solar, UEP wind farm, Sachal wind farm, Dawood wind farm have been completed. Unit 1 of Port Qasim was completed. 5 more power plants under construction.”
Mr. Zhao made no mention of Chinese request for Renminbi being used as legal tender in Gwadar in his series of tweets.
