ABBOTTABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, has said that Hazara division, particularly Abbottabad, would become a hub of trade activities as a result of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

He was speaking as chief guest at a ceremony held to mark the 10th anniversary of sister city relationship of Kashgar and Abbottabad here on Saturday.

The Chinese ambassador in his speech expressed his delight to see the development projects taking place along the route of CPEC and said that China and Pakistan were coming closer in every sector of life day by day.

He was hopeful that closer contacts of local entrepreneurs would further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

Earlier, a friendly football match was played between the teams of Chinese embassy, Islamabad, and Director General Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Eleven at the football ground of Army Burn Hall College, Abbottabad. The KP team won the match.

The match was organised with the collaboration of KP DG sports, district administration, Army Burn Hall College, Malik Saad Shaheed Welfare Trust and Pak-China Friendship Association.

Yao Jing said that the football team members and other diplomats and officials of the Chinese embassy felt very comfortable in the pleasant atmosphere of Abbottabad. He added that the match also demonstrated cordial relations between people of both the countries. Later, Yao Jing and Palestinian envoy Husni Abughosh planted saplings of pine tree on the college premises.

Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2018