China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) | Updates & Discussions

[Sardar Anees Abbasi]

China and Pakistan to step up cooperation on building oil pipelines, rail links

Beijing: China and Pakistan are expected to step up their efforts to build oil pipelines and railroads linking the two countries following, a Chinese think-tank said on Thursday.

"Both nations are expected to step up their cooperation on building the oil pipeline and railroads linking the two countries,&[HASHTAG]#8221[/HASHTAG]; Wang Dehua, of the Shanghai Institute for International Strategic Studies said on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Pakistan.

Besides consolidating political ties, a major objective for Li's visit was to seek closer economic and trade cooperation, he said.In an interview with Pakistani media, Li had said, &[HASHTAG]#8220[/HASHTAG];There is still great potential for the relationship, suggesting both sides focus more on carrying out prioritized energy development and power generation, and the building of a China-Pakistan economic corridor."

The shape of a China-Pakistan energy corridor has been given a boost since a Chinese company took over operation of Pakistan's Gwadar port in February. "Closer cooperation with Pakistan would also improve the opening up and economic development of western China, in terms of linking to the Indian Ocean," Wang said.

Wang Xu, a researcher in South Asian studies at Peking University, said the Pakistani manufacturing sector will be greatly boosted and updated if China can transfer some of its factories to its neighbour.


China and Pakistan to step up cooperation on building oil pipelines, rail links

@yzd Khaifa @Mosamania

I guess, your crude will be offloaded on Gwadar in the near future,instead of being shipped to Shanghai.

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China and Pakistan to step up cooperation on building oil pipelines, rail links

Beijing: China and Pakistan are expected to step up their efforts to build oil pipelines and railroads linking the two countries following, a Chinese think-tank said on Thursday.

"Both nations are expected to step up their cooperation on building the oil pipeline and railroads linking the two countries,&[HASHTAG]#8221[/HASHTAG]; Wang Dehua, of the Shanghai Institute for International Strategic Studies said on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Pakistan.

Besides consolidating political ties, a major objective for Li's visit was to seek closer economic and trade cooperation, he said.In an interview with Pakistani media, Li had said, &[HASHTAG]#8220[/HASHTAG];There is still great potential for the relationship, suggesting both sides focus more on carrying out prioritized energy development and power generation, and the building of a China-Pakistan economic corridor."

The shape of a China-Pakistan energy corridor has been given a boost since a Chinese company took over operation of Pakistan's Gwadar port in February. "Closer cooperation with Pakistan would also improve the opening up and economic development of western China, in terms of linking to the Indian Ocean," Wang said.

Wang Xu, a researcher in South Asian studies at Peking University, said the Pakistani manufacturing sector will be greatly boosted and updated if China can transfer some of its factories to its neighbour.


China and Pakistan to step up cooperation on building oil pipelines, rail links

@yzd Khaifa @Mosamania

I guess, your crude will be offloaded on Gwadar in the near future,instead of being shipped to Shanghai.

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[NOWorNEVER]

Amazing documentary!!! Thanks for sharing... There's another one prepared by National Geographic Channel

 

[ahsanhaider]

amazing aerial views of M1 ( which is actually also a part of CPEC but already complete)

 

[The Eagle]

Iran, Pakistan discuss cooperation on CPEC projects
Islamabad, Oct 8, IRNA - Soon after Iran’s willingness and capacities to participate in different projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was raised in a recent meeting between President Rouahni of Iran and Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif in New York, Iran's envoy to Pakistan has begun paving the way for Iran to play its active role in CPEC.

In a meeting between Iran Ambassador to Islamabad Mehdi Honardoost and CPEC Projects Director Zahir Shah, both sides discussed those fields and areas in which Iran would be able to participate and play a role in completing the biggest ever joint economic project between Pakistan and China; a project that Pakistan has also asked Iran to join while completed.

Iran’s different private sectors have huge capabilities in different fields including technical, engineering, energy projects, road and construction, building energy transmission lines… and are fully prepared to participate in different projects of CPEC, said Ambassador Honardoost.

The ambassador also stressed that Iran is ready to meet the energy needs of Pakistan including natural gas and electricity, which is crucially important for Pakistan to move faster on completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

In the meeting, 'Zahir Shah' praised Iran's willingness and readiness to participate in the projects of CPEC and emphasized the importance of cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in different fields.

“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor should be extended to Iran,” Zahir Shah said.

 

[-BAJWA-]

why we have that much f***ked up machinery ? just asking

Owned by ZKB, a private firm constructing this package. So its upon them that in which condition, they keep their machinery.

 

[Clutch]

‘Game-changing’ road project gets underway

DERA GHAZI KHAN: The first phase of ‘improvement’ of N-70 (national highway) has commenced with the funding of Japan.

Starting from Rakhi Gaaj-Khar-Bewata, the project aims to make the hilly portion of the road wide and safe for Gwadar-bound cargo traffic with the installation of eight steel bridges.

Mr Saulat Bhatti, the project director, told Dawn that the road from Multan to Qila Saifullah was being improved and widened to link it up with the road network under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Besides, he said, work on dual-carriageway from Multan to Dera Ghazi Khan would soon commence on a BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis and the process of mutation of land was under process.

“The first phase of East-West improvement of N-70 from Rakhi Gaaj-Khar-Bewata has taken off with the allocation of Rs14 billion. The project will be executed in three phases at a cost of Rs23 billion.”

Mr Bhatti said the hilly portion of N-70, which was constructed in the late 19th century by the British engineers, had seven difficult turns to negotiate to climb up the high mountain of Girdo to reach For Munro or Bewata. “These turns are main hurdle for Gwadar-bound heavy cargo traffic and there is a plan to make travel easier by using Japanese technology,” he said.

He said almost 33-kilometre long tough hilly portion of N-70 would be widened and improved with installation of eight steel bridges having a total length of 1.5 kilometre.

The Japanese engineering company which had made Kohat tunnel was working on this project too, he said, adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would inaugurate the work on first phase soon.

District Police Officer Atta Muhammad told Dawn that 180 personnel of the Special Protection Unit, district and Elite police had been deployed at the site for the N-70 project. The Border Military Police (BMP) would ensure protection of the engineers and labourers undertaking the project, he added.

Brief history
The hilly portion of Dera-Taftan Road from Rakhi Gaaj to high mountain of Girdo was constructed in the late 19th century by the British rulers as part of “strategic forward policy” in the subcontinent.

Quoting his great grandfather, a labourer working on the (current) project told this correspondent that it was one of the most difficult terrains to work on but after completion, it brought about positive changes in the lives of tribal people.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2016


I really like this design... !!

 

[Muhammad Omar]

 

[A.A. Khan]

Still under investigation US paid Dawn media group tool journalist Cyril Almeida back in action targeting CPEC and China

LOL well since change of army chief, enemies of Pakistan and their agents are back in action. So-called investigative journalist or dawn 'leak' cyril almeida who is under investigation for trying to create discord between Pak civil govt. and military by posting an article or 'security leaks', minister for information Pervez Rasheed has been sacrificed already due to this journo now he is back in action.

Everyone knows the efficiency of Sindh govt. and their corruption, as well as the garbage dump they have converted Karachi into. Sind govt. had to hire Chinese company to clean 2 of the city districts, the company cleaned and dumped some of it into a christian locality which affected the journalists' christmas spirit. To assuage his anger and in line with US paid dawn media group interests tweeted venomous crap calling Pakistani workers as slaves, who are paid more than what USAID does but off course this US tool journalist never questioned that or the local corruption, destruction by politicians with backing of USA 'in name of democracy'.
Chinese mission as well as their diplomagts even in private conversation never discuss local politics of the country with its people but the BS prompted a Chinese official [heavily involved in CPEC] to react after which already under unvestigation leaker Cyril Almeida removed the tweet but their was a bitter exchange between. PAkistani ppl cant remain silent with foreign paid agenda-fied journos trying to embarass us wheether its Tribune newspaper on ally ERdogan trip or only investor in Pak right now, China. There nefarious agenda and their selective campaigns need to be exposed esp. Dawn, express, jang media groups collusion and their involvement with US interests against PAk national interests.

Check out the exchange here:

Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 20m20 minutes ago

Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted Izharullah

That is the joke of the day

Muhammad Lijian Zhao added,
Izharullah @Izhar2u
@cyalm @zlj517 Have been told by labours(chinese) in hydro projects in Lower Dir district of KP, they are prisoners.Arnt they?


Izharullah
‏@Izhar2u

@zlj517 And give a read to this from 1991 @cyalm



Tweets and replies

Tweets Tweets & replies Media

Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 11m11 minutes ago

Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted Izharullah

You are right buddy. Found a good source. This so called paper of repute is one of biggest rumor factories about China. Not credible at all

Muhammad Lijian Zhao added,
Izharullah @Izhar2u
@zlj517 And give a read to this from 1991 @cyalm
5 replies 3 retweets 12 likes

Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted
Pakistan Cyber Force ‏@PCF_Official 29m29 minutes ago

@zlj517 We had the honor of working with Chinese engineers in the past. One thing that we know for sure is that Chinese are HONEST friends.
0 replies 3 retweets 8 likes
Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 23m23 minutes ago

Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted Izharullah

That is the joke of the day

Muhammad Lijian Zhao added,
Izharullah @Izhar2u
@cyalm @zlj517 Have been told by labours(chinese) in hydro projects in Lower Dir district of KP, they are prisoners.Arnt they?
5 replies 12 retweets 17 likes
Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted
faisal nazar ‏@faisalnazar 36m36 minutes ago

@zlj517 There r paid agents of enemies of CPEC & growing Pakistani china relationship. People of Pakistan Highly Value friendship with China
1 reply 5 retweets 13 likes
Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 30m30 minutes ago

Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted cyril almeida

When those people spread rumors that Chinese workers are prisoners, are they diplomatic? For those people, only one word nonsense

Muhammad Lijian Zhao added,
cyril almeida @cyalm
Much that is unfortunate here and several out of their minds, but surely not a reasonable (diplomatic?) response...
6 replies 13 retweets 16 likes

Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 43m43 minutes ago

Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted cyril almeida

No need to be cynical. FYI, China punished 1.01 million officials since 2013. CPEC projects are a clean sheet. They are part of the war, too

Muhammad Lijian Zhao added,
cyril almeida @cyalm
No need for that war on corruption back in China, then...
4 replies 12 retweets 26 likes
Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 47m47 minutes ago

Muhammad Lijian Zhao Retweeted cyril almeida

It is really unfortunate that senior journalists believe in this kind of stories of Chinese prisoners in CPEC projects. Are they out of mind

Muhammad Lijian Zhao added,
cyril almeida @cyalm
Easy there... Chinese, yes, but still a diplomat in Pakistan, no?

https://twitter.com/x/status/810935551901601792

…
16 replies 16 retweets 25 likes
Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 54m54 minutes ago

For those who accuse CPEC projects of corruption, there is one Chinese saying: Gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure.
2 replies 31 retweets 51 likes


Muhammad Lijian Zhao ‏@zlj517 1h1 hour ago

Is China using Prisoners as labour to save costs under CPEC? This is nonsense. The person spreads rumors like this has a hidden agenda
16 replies 52 retweets 73 likes


cyril almeida ‏@cyalm 47m47 minutes ago

cyril almeida Retweeted Muhammad Lijian Zhao

Much that is unfortunate here and several out of their minds, but surely not a reasonable (diplomatic?) response...

cyril almeida added,
Muhammad Lijian Zhao @zlj517
It is really unfortunate that senior journalists believe in this kind of stories of Chinese prisoners in CPEC projects. Are they out of mind


cyril almeida ‏@cyalm 54m54 minutes ago

cyril almeida Retweeted Muhammad Lijian Zhao

No need for that war on corruption back in China, then...

cyril almeida added,
Muhammad Lijian Zhao @zlj517
For those who accuse CPEC projects of corruption, there is one Chinese saying: Gauge the heart of a gentleman with one's own mean measure.
1 reply 2 retweets 3 likes


cyril almeida ‏@cyalm 1h1 hour ago

cyril almeida Retweeted Muhammad Lijian Zhao

Easy there... Chinese, yes, but still a diplomat in Pakistan, no?

cyril almeida added,
Muhammad Lijian Zhao @zlj517
Is China using Prisoners as labour to save costs under CPEC? This is nonsense. The person spreads rumors like this has a hidden agenda
6 replies 2 retweets 5 likes

twitter links:cyalm (Cyril Almeida)
zlj517 (Chinese mission official;CPEC)

 

[ahojunk]

China fixing Pakistan energy infrastructure could boost GDP growth to 7% per year and enable a new Asian Tiger economy by 2018
December 18, 2016

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is betting on a $21 billion Chinese-backed splurge on energy projects to boost the economy—and his re-election bid.

More than 10,000 Chinese workers are now building at least 10 partly Beijing-financed energy projects across Pakistan that are set to grow the country’s energy output by 60% within two years in the first major boost to supply in two decades.Mr. Sharif’s government plans to inaugurate a nuclear plant this month and a pipeline network in January that will carry large-scale gas imports upcountry.

Mr. Sharif’s promise to solve the electricity crisis propelled him to office at a time when the energy deficit was knocking some 2 percentage points off growth, economists say, stifling industry and leaving school children to study by candlelight.

Pakistan’s economic growth has risen to almost 5% annually under Mr. Sharif’ and his government set a 7% target for the years ahead. That, his government hopes, will boost the moribund private sector, reduce unemployment and provide youth with more alternatives to extremism.

Mr. Sharif’s plan depends heavily on China, which is translating its long-term strategic ties with Pakistan into an economic partnership, part of a broader infrastructure push across Eurasia. China is financing many plants as commercial investments. But to expedite projects, the Pakistani government is funding some power stations in the run up to the election, including three gas-fired plants in Mr. Sharif’s home province of Punjab. The eventual aim is to more than double Pakistan’s current output of around 16,000 megawatts.

Washington’s multi-billion-dollar civilian aid program for Pakistan has been far less ambitious, adding 1,000 megawatts to the country’s power generation in recent years by enhancing existing power stations.

 

[Arsala.nKhan]

CPEC sounds too sugar coated, Chinese entering into Pakistan already hanging business and economic dynamics for Pakistani people. They will face huge competition at every single level of their working life. Cultural impact will be intolerable at the same time. I think the check control from army will be essential element make or break our nation's future!

 

[Verve]

CPEC sounds too sugar coated, Chinese entering into Pakistan already hanging business and economic dynamics for Pakistani people. They will face huge competition at every single level of their working life. Cultural impact will be intolerable at the same time. I think the check control from army will be essential element make or break our nation's future!

Please do not buy in to this 'Chinese colonisation' BS being spread by our internal and external enemies. Chinese investments are everywhere in the world but that does not mean large scale Chinese migration to take over local's jobs. CPEC and the accompanying investment will create local jobs.

 

[abhishekgoel80]

Pakistan needs infrastructure. China is supplying it. Since its the only major investor they are extracting a huge profit.

Saw om a vedio where Mushraff was questioning the interest guaranteed to chinese.

 

[A.A. Khan]

Please do not buy in to this 'Chinese colonisation' BS being spread by our internal and external enemies. Chinese investments are everywhere in the world but that does not mean large scale Chinese migration to take over local's jobs. CPEC and the accompanying investment will create local jobs.

True that, Chinese have'nt sent many ppl and don't think they will, but to reply to these indian and pro-indian trolls there is a trade deal being shoved into Sri Lanka's mouth called ETCA which will enable toiletless indians to work in Sri Lanka taking their jobs as well as bulk of their infrastructure US is backing and pushing for it, which is making many Lankans angry and worried. Chinese investment and chinese support for Pakistan is nothing infront this dubious deal, check in detail here

ETCA

Sri Lanka and India are negotiating a trade agreement which is causing a lot of controversy. Unlike other trade agreements which covers goods, this covers services - specifically IT and shipyards services. This means that people may move back and forth and - given Sri Lanka's long and sometimes contentious relationship with India - this is causing a lot of controversy.

A lot of this is because the document itself is not (officially) public but we have an un-official copy here, and some quick FAQs. This article won't tell you whether the agreement is good or bad, but it will try to lay out roughly what it is.

Can I read ETCA document?

You're not supposed to. It is only for the Illuminati ('stakeholders'). It isn't public until both parties agree.

However, the GMOA (Government Medical Officer's Association) did release scanned versions of the framework document and an annex of services.

We're releasing the full text documents here, because, well they've already been released:

• Indo-Sri Lanka Economic And Technology Cooperation Framework Agreement ETCA
• Services Schedules under the proposed Comprehensive Framework for Cooperation between Sri Lanka and India

Note that these are not official documents. The actual documents may be completely different, these are just for reference purposes.

If you want to see some excerpts, we've selected a few at the very end of this article.

What is being signed now?

What's on the table is just an agreement to make an agreement in 6 months.

There are two documents, a framework and the actual agreement. Only the framework document is up to be signed in the next few weeks. This basically just to open actual negotiations. So still plenty of time to freak out, and change stuff.

What jobs could move?

So far the sectors seem to be limited to IT-enabled services and Colombo dockyards. Within that it seems likely that the negotiations will limit those positions to highly skilled (ie, not entry level programmers). The movement would go both ways.

The annexure linked above actually mentions a range of services, but other statements have said that this first round would be limited to IT and shipyards.

Why are people freaking out?

Unlike goods, services means that people could move across borders. India IT professionals could be working in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan IT professionals could be working in India. This means they could be competing for jobs, which has many people worried. The secrecy and lack of transparency around the agreement doesn't help.

Can't companies currently hire from abroad if they want to?

Yes, through the BOI, but it's a bit of a process and gives limited slots. Also, many companies are note covered by the BOI.

Is ETCA basically CEPA by another name?

Officially no, but basically yes. If you're wondering what they acronyms mean it's Indo-Lanka Economic and Technology Agreement (ETCA) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

What is 'trade in services'?

If you have time, best to read up about it here - ceylon chamber of commerce In short, countries have worked on free trade agreements for goods, and now they are working on free (or more free) trade in services. These services come in different modes, the controversial one being Mode 4, where a human moves from one country to another. Services account for nearly 60% of Sri Lanka's GDP and these sort of agreements are becoming more and more common.

What should I think?

We don't know. This could cost jobs or it could create growth for everyone - the relevant parts haven't really been negotiated yet. Read and chat around and decide for yourself.


Excerpts (Not Official)
Article 1: Objectives

The objectives of this Agreement are:

1. To strengthen and advance the economic, trade, investment and technology cooperation between the two parties;
2. To promote further liberalization of trade in goods, liberalizing trade in services between the two Parties and gradually establish fair, transparent and facilitative trading, investment and investment protection mechanisms;
3. To expand areas of economic cooperation and establish a cooperation mechanism.

Article 2: Cooperation Measures

The two Parties have agreed, in consideration of their economic conditions, to take measures including but not limited to the following, in order to strengthen economic exchange and cooperation:

1. Gradually reducing or eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade between the two Parties;
2. Gradually reducing or eliminating restrictions on in trade in services between the two parties;
3. Providing investment protection and promoting two way investment;
4. Promoting trade and investment facilitation and industry exchanges and cooperation;
5. Promoting Technology cooperation and transfer of technology and knowhow.

Chapter 2
Article 1: Trade In Goods

… skipping cause not controversial

Article 2: Trade In Services

1. The two Parties have agreed to conduct consultations on an agreement on trade in services no later than six months after the entry into force of this Agreement, and expeditiously conclude such consultations.
2. The consultation on the agreement on trade in services shall seek to:
   1. gradually reduce or eliminate restrictions in trade in services between the two Parties;
   2. enhance cooperation in trade in services between the two Parties.
3. Either Party may accelerate the liberalization or elimination of restrictive measures at its discretion on the basis of the commitments to liberalization in the agreement on trade in services.

Article 3: Investment

… skipping

Chapter 3
Article 1: Objectives

Parties shall seek to:

1. Strengthen and enhance economic co-operation between them on the basis of equality and mutual benefit
2. Explore new areas of and develop appropriate measures for closer economic co-operation as a means to greater economic integration between the two countries; and
3. Support and augment economic cooperation in accordance with developmental needs of each other and the welfare of their respective peoples.

Article 2: Scope Of Cooperation

1. To enhance and expand the benefits of this Agreement, the two parties have agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas including, but not limited to, the following:
   1. intellectual property rights protection and cooperation;
   2. financial cooperation;
   3. trade promotion and facilitation;
   4. customs cooperation;
   5. e-commerce cooperation;
   6. discussion on the overall arrangements and key areas for industrial cooperation in major projects, and coordination of the resolution of issues that may arise in the course of industrial cooperation between the two Parties;
   7. promotion of the mutual establishment of offices by economic and trade bodies of the two Parties.
2. The two Parties shall expeditiously conduct consultation on the specific programs and contents of the cooperation matters listed in this Article.

Chapter 4: Technology Cooperation
... This section is missing in the scanned document

yamu lk

 

[Arsala.nKhan]

Please do not buy in to this 'Chinese colonisation' BS being spread by our internal and external enemies. Chinese investments are everywhere in the world but that does not mean large scale Chinese migration to take over local's jobs. CPEC and the accompanying investment will create local jobs.

Lets stay positive and be ready for every thing else!

 

[Prawnsroo]

Aerial Views and Updates of Haveli Bahadur Shah Power Plant Located in Jhang District of Punjab. The Power Plant is Combined Cycle and will Generate About 1200MW of Power and add it to the National Grid.

Very high quality video, watch directly on youtube for better view.