A Chinese Embassy spokesperson Monday rejected parts of a report in the UK daily The Guardian as “completely untrue.”
The rhetoric and wording imposed are obviously not credible, lacking a basic understanding of China’s position. The author’s practice of unilaterally fabricating false information without prior consent for an interview violates professional ethics and breaches basic respect for the common understanding, said the spokesperson.
The Guardian had attributed certain remarks to a Chinese diplomat, expressing displeasure over the course of development under CPEC projects.
“If the security is not improved, who would come and work in this environment? There is hatred against the Chinese in Gwadar and Balochistan, some evil forces are against the CPEC, and they want to sabotage it, the paper quoted the diplomat as saying.
The spokesperson dismissed these attributions as “untrue.”
In a rejoinder to the paper, the spokesperson underscored China’s commitment to continuous engagement with Pakistan and listed some of the recent developments around CPEC and Gwadar.
Following are excerpts from the spokespersons statement hat lists some key events in the last few months.
China has always supported the construction of Gwadar Port and the development of Balochistan. Over the past year, with joint efforts of our two countries, series of positive progress has been made.
In March last year, we provided US$100,000 in emergency cash assistance for disaster relief work in Balochistan. In May, China transported 10,000 sets of solar lighting equipment to be distributed in Balochistan.
In June, we handed over the Gwadar China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital and Gwadar desalination plant. In July, we organized a media delegation from Balochistan to visit China.
In August, 20,000 sets of health kits were distributed to Balochistan.
In October, the new Gwadar International Airport was successfully completed. In November, we organized delegations from all walks of life in Gwadar to visit China.
In December, outstanding Pakistani staff of the CPEC project, including those in Balochistan were awarded.
The embassy will soon award “Chinese Ambassador Scholarships” to students at Balochistan University, Sardar Bahadur Khan University and Gwadar University.
Those tangible achievements represent China’s determination and confidence in the development of Gwadar and Balochistan. We sincerely hope that China-Pakistan practical cooperation and livelihood projects can better benefit the local people, the spokesperson said.
