BEIJING: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid said on Friday that the One Belt, One Road initiative would usher in incomparable benefits to economy, trade and infrastructure along with energy development for the countries and regions involved.

“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project, and it will bring the already consolidated China-Pakistan all-weather strategic partnership to a new dimension of social and economic development,” he said while talking to the Chinese edition of Takungpao newspaper.

The ambassador said that the Silk Road economic belt and maritime Silk Road, like the traditional route, would connect various areas and civilisations.

The newspaper reported that Beijing would hold the One Belt, One Road international cooperation summit in May.

Analysts said that the initiative would help promote investment, expand domestic demand, increase job opportunities and eradicate poverty.

According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang, participants at the forum will focus on international connectivity cooperation, regional economic growth and common development.

A spokesperson for the fifth session of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee said the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, also known as the Belt and Road Initiative, was not a scheme by China to exert its influence globally.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2017