GILGIT: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will change the socioeconomic conditions of Gilgit-Baltistan people.

He said the project would provide trade, employment and education opportunities to the people of Pakistan in general and the GB in particular.

He stated these views while talking to Karakoram International University’s Vice Chancellor Prof Attaullah Shah and Dr Saranjam Baig, Director CPEC Centre set up at the varsity, who called on him at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad the other day, according to a press release issued by the varsity on Wednesday.

The Chinese envoy said CPEC Centre would become a place for CPEC research. He assured the delegation to cooperate for further improving the performance of the centre. The varsity vice chancellor briefed the ambassador about the completed and ongoing activities at the CPEC Centre. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the varsity in the context of CPEC.

The meeting stressed the need for building a long-term partnership among the CPEC Centre, KIU, Chinese Embassy and other stakeholders. Possibilities regarding exchange programmes, research grants and partnerships with Chinese universities also came under discussion.

The vice chancellor also shared his plans to upgrade CPEC Centre into a Centre of Excellence. He invited the Chinese ambassador to visit KIU, which he accepted.

Ambassador Yao Jing shed light on how they were incorporating the social sector and less-developed regions into the CPEC in line with the vision of the new government.

He assured that the CPEC Centre would be provided with all possible assistance.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2018