On May 17, 2024, Minister Shi Yuanqiang attended the Pakistan National Balochistan Seminar "The Impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on the Economic and Social Economy of Balochistan" and delivered a speech. Pakistani Planning Minister Iqbal attended the meeting and delivered a speech. More than 100 representatives including provincial officials, parliamentarians, scholars, media, non-governmental organizations, and students attended the meeting.

Shi Yuanqiang said that the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has gained momentum and achieved fruitful results over the past 11 years, and has entered a new stage of high-quality development. President Xi Jinping emphasized that “the planning and layout of the corridor must take into account all regions of Pakistan so that development results can benefit all Pakistani people.” China-Pakistan cooperation, especially the construction of the corridor, is to provide a good foundation and more opportunities for the economic and social development of Bali Province. To this end, China has increased investment in infrastructure in Bali Province to lay the foundation for economic development; implemented "small but beautiful" projects to effectively improve people's livelihood and well-being; organized extensive visits to enhance mutual understanding and friendship; deepened cooperation with friendly provinces and promoted local exchanges . In the future, China will also actively implement President Xi Jinping's important instructions on building an "upgraded version" of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, making the Gwadar region a new engine for the development of Bali Province, further strengthening exchanges and cooperation with Bali Province, and better benefiting Bali Province and the whole of Pakistan. people. China is also willing to comprehensively strengthen anti-terrorism security cooperation with Pakistan, safeguard development with security, promote security with development, and promote high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Iqbal expressed his gratitude to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for its contribution to Pakistan’s national progress and the prosperity and development of Bali Province. He said that China’s reform and opening up achievements have provided Pakistan with important ideas to learn from, and Chinese-style modernization has brought valuable development opportunities to Pakistan. Under the joint leadership of the leaders of Pakistan and China, the "1+4" cooperation layout of the corridor has formed a number of early harvests, and a series of fruitful infrastructure and social and livelihood projects have been implemented in Bali Province, injecting economic and social development into Pakistan. Strong driving force to comprehensively improve Pakistan’s conditions and ability to attract foreign investment. At present, the corridor has entered the second stage of high-quality development. Pakistan and China will join hands to build the "Five Major Corridors" to better benefit the people of Balkan Province and the whole of Pakistan, and promote the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to achieve more new achievements.

Iqbal and Shi Yuanqiang answered questions from the participants on China-Pakistan relations, corridor construction, Balin province development and other aspects and had in-depth exchanges.Editor/Zhao E