The Best Part of CPEC is coming in Second Phase: Mushahid shares Perception Report with 93.5 % Positivity – Amb China Appreciates Media Forum’s Roll in Dispelling Misinformation

Some forces are intentionally spreading misinformation. Info Minister Murtaza Solangi

Media Forum played a vital role in thwarting propaganda .Ambassador Jiang Zaidong

CPEC is back on track with major developments in Gwadar port, ML-1 railway project, restoration of SEZs and Agriculture. China stands on the right side of history with a geo-economic vision of connectivity through trade and culture, Mushahid Hussain

The people of China and Pakistan are the real guardians of the deep friendship. Mustafa Haider Syed

President Xi Jinping’s BRI’s announcement of $100 billion investment in green development of countries historic. ED Pak China Institute

 Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong congratulates the organizers on holding 8th Pakistan China Media Forum

Tazeen Akhtar

Pakistani media is well aware of the conspiracies against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and has played its full role in thwarting the propaganda against the corridor as well as bringing the correct image of the flagship project to the Pakistani people. This was expressed by the speakers at the 8th CPEC Media Forum organized by Pakistan China Institute in Islamabad on Dec 20, 2023. Pakistan China Institute organized the media forum in collaboration with China Economic Net and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

The forum was also telecast in Beijing and Gwadar University. Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong appreciated the forum’s efforts to promote media cooperation and dispel misinformation about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. A large number of well-known journalists participated in the media forum.

Information Minister Murtaza Solangi while appreciating the important role of media in shaping public opinion emphasized on objective reporting for correct transmission of information to counter propaganda. He highlighted the role of CPEC in tackling Pakistan’s socio-economic challenges, creating employment opportunities and playing a significant role in economic development. He stressed the need for accurate journalism to counter fake news and urged unity to recognize CPEC as a ‘force of change that has reshaped the nation and led to a brighter, more prosperous future’. He said that some forces are deliberately spreading wrong information.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reiterated China’s commitment to protect Pakistan’s core interests.He apprised the participants about his personal visit to Gwadar, where he inaugurated a desalination plant to benefit the local population. He announced the upcoming supply of 10,000 solar units to Gwadar, which will contribute to sustainable development in the region.

 Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Khalil Hashmi reiterated commitment to high-quality CPEC development and strengthened cooperation.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman Senate Committee on Defense and Chairman Pakistan China Institute termed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as the most important development and diplomatic initiative of the 21st century. He drew attention to China’s substantial investment of more than $1 trillion in 3,000 projects globally, which has positively impacted more than 40 million people by lifting them out of poverty.

“READY TO PROMOTE HIGH QUALITY DEVELOPMENT OF CPEC”

 Mushahid shared that the best CPEC plan is yet to come. CPEC is now back on track with major developments in Gwadar port upgradation, ML-1 railway project, revival of Special Economic Zones and agriculture.

Mushahid Hussain Syed said that China is standing on the right side of history with a geo-economic vision of connectivity through trade and culture, both China and Pakistan stand perfectly with each other.

Senator Mushahid Hussain unveiled the “Perception of CPEC in Pakistan” report, indicating a 93.5% positive view. As 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the report was shared in the 8th CPEC Media Forum.Data from the report indicate that there is widespread agreement among Pakistanis that CPEC will help revive economic activity in Pakistan.

The report draws its insight from 350 individuals, encompassing key stakeholders including 62 government employees, 22 parliamentarians, civil sector representatives, private sector professionals, journalists, members of academia, and students from Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit.

Based on the report, 65% of the respondents view Chinese professionals as friends of Pakistan who will help revive the country’s economy and socio-economic well-being. This means a majority of Pakistani people strongly believe that CPEC will prove to be beneficial for the country and its people.

Regarding how CPEC will help Pakistan, 93.5% of the respondents view CPEC as a project that will significantly help Pakistan through investment in various sectors while also opening avenues for businessmen. And, 75.1% of the respondents agree that through CPEC, local businessmen will get access to international markets.

Moreover, 61.1% of the respondents believe that CPEC will help economically vulnerable groups such as women, which signals positive segments among the Pakistanis about how CPEC is slowly revolutionizing the economy by improving the socio-economic well-being of the people.

Mustafa Haider Syed, Executive Director of Pakistan-China Institute, said that the scope of cooperation extends beyond infrastructure projects to people-to-people contacts, and the people of China and Pakistan are the real custodians of this deep friendship. He termed President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) announcement to invest $100 billion in green development of countries as historic.

The president of China Economic Net, Su Yi Jin, read the congratulatory message from Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong regarding the media forum. In the message, Vice Minister Sun Weidong congratulated the participants on the successful holding of the forum. Mustafa Haider Syed launched the ‘CPEC Media Forum Balochistan Initiative,’ emphasizing inclusive and transparent development.

Vice Minister Sun Weidong emphasized that Pakistan and China stand as all-weather strategic partners, and the successful completion of a decade of CPEC is a testament to the deep friendship between the two countries.

Vice Minister Sun Weidong highlighted the important progress made during the Third Belt and Road Forum held in Beijing in October.

Former Ambassador of Pakistan Masood Khalid, Naghmana Hashmi, Dr Hassan Daud Butt, Senior Journalist Hamid Mir highlighted the vital role of Balochistan in CPEC’s destiny, calling for comprehensive implementation.Renown anchorperson Shifa Yousufzai was also present.

Economic Daily’s Zheng Qingdong stressed the significance of the 10th CPEC anniversary in fostering enduring friendship. Wu Xu, Executive Secretary of the China Journalists Association, emphasized media cooperation against false narratives. Yu Xiaokui proposed strategies to share authentic corridor stories, enhancing media cooperation and adapting to new trends. Du Jianing, Director of China Media Group Islamabad Studio, urged collaboration to combat misinformation and ensure CPEC’s quality development.

74th Founding Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan – Strong Resolve on Moving Forward on CPEC Expressed from Both Sides