RAWALPINDI - Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy of China, Zhao Lijian paid a visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) here on Monday. He was accompanied by economic and trade Counsellors Shen Zichang and Liu Shijie.

Addressing a large gathering of traders, Zhao Lijian said that China had invested massively in power and infrastructure that resulted in improved electricity and better road network in Pakistan under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said that Pakistan and China are enjoying best mutual, trade, bilateral, cultural and social relations.

Zhao Lijian appreciated the role of RCCI in promoting trade relations between the two countries and said that his office will provide full assistance to RCCI in organizing business opportunity conference in Beijing, China. He also accepted the RCCI President invitation for All Pakistan Chambers Presidents Conference in Gawadar to be held in March this year and assured his full assistance and cooperation in connecting Chinese Chamber of Commerce and companies as a part of B2B meetings in the upcoming conference.

He said under CPEC project four key areas have been marked as top priority, Power, Infrastructure, Gawadar port and Special Economic Zones (SEZ). With heavy investments in power and infrastructure, within four years, everyone in Pakistan can witness the progress made in these areas. Now we have low loadshedding and better road network and this will help the overall economy of Pakistan, he added. The given progress is the answer to the negative forces which are against CPEC. Now we are moving to the third and fourth phase of CPEC, Gawadar Free Zone development and SEZ. Industrialization under CPEC SEZ will help Pakistan to improve its GDP, poverty alleviation and unemployment. Both Pakistani and Chinese governments are working hard to complete all projects given under CPEC timeline, he added.

Earlier, RCCI Chief Zahid Latif Khan, in his welcome address, appreciated Chinese DCM for giving detailed information on CPEC. He said with this interactive session the doubts and misconceptions among traders and business community have been resolved. Now we have better and clear picture of CPEC and SEZ. He said we understand that there are certain anti-CPEC forces creating distrust among governments and business community. However, more interaction with chamber of commerce and exchange of delegation is imperative to nullify such anti-CPEC elements, he added.

Senior Vice President Muhammad Nasir Mirza, Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, group leader Suhail Altaf, former presidents, members of the executive committee and a large number of traders attended the meeting.