ISLAMABAD    -   The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will remain top priority of the new government and change of regime in Pakistan makes no effect in carrying forward the long-standing Sino-Pak friendship, a Gwadar Pro report said on Tuesday.

The report mentioned the recent speech of the new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered in the parliament, in which he declared that his government would speed up the high-quality construction of the CPEC, making it a symbol of China-Pakistan friendship.

The CPEC lives in the heart of the people of Pakistan where no matter who rules the country and CPEC will remain at the top priority, he remarked.

The entire political spectrum including the leading political parties has a strong consensus for standing together on CPEC.

While reacting on the new appointment, China appreciates the new Prime Minister’s remarks and is ready to work with Pakistan to continue to further advance the high-quality development of CPEC.

There is an urge to practically expand the bilateral cooperation and build CPEC together for shared benefits. There is also a desire from both sides to accelerate the building of closer China-Pakistan ties to create a community of shared future in this new era and work together to promote the well-being of the two peoples.

It is also important to note that when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was Chief Minister of Punjab, a province with a solid industrial and agriculture base, he worked on CPEC projects at a phenomenal speed. There is an expectation that this time he will deliver at the national level with the same enthusiasm and speed.

CPEC has been so entrenched in the national roots of Pakistan that no government can change it. It is a state-to-state strong partnership.

CPEC holds a strong ground for the essential cooperation between Pakistan and China.

CPEC is the epitome of the China-Pakistan relations and is considered as a model for the other countries to follow. With the change of government in Pakistan, there would not be any change in the level of friendship. Instead, it will grow manifold.