China pledges to continue work with new Pakistan government

Beijing, July 25: As Pakistan went to crucial national elections on Wednesday, July 25, its all-weather ally China pledged to continue to work with the new government that takes charge after the polls.

According to AFP, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said in a regular press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, July 24, that China would continue to work with the new government to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

"We are willing to work with the new Pakistani government to continue to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and promote new progress in the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries," Shuang was quoted as saying.

Shuang was asked a question over the criticism that Imran Khan, the prime ministerial candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), made of some projects of the much-talked about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which he accused of indulging in corruption. Since Khan is a frontrunner to become the next premier of the South Asian country, it was apprehended whether China could face any hurdle in its relationship with its ally under a new government.

Shuang defined the CPEC as a strategic cooperation framework set by the leaders of the two countries with an aim of long-term development of both.

Though aimed at improving Pakistan's economy, the CPEC has often run into trouble over issues like security and finance on its soil. Recently, some road projects under the CPEC hit a wall because of financial crisis in the national highway body of Pakistan. Issues like inadequate employment and overwhelming presence of the military in connection with the project have also created discontent among the common Pakistanis.