Chinese Premier Li Qiang inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Monday, according to state-run Pakistan Television.
This newly constructed airport, funded by Beijing at a cost of $200 million, is a key element of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The inauguration ceremony took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, with the airport expected to facilitate both domestic and international flights, as stated by the Civil Aviation Authority.
During the event, Li, who is on a four-day visit to Pakistan, described the airport’s completion as a “milestone” for enhancing regional connectivity. He highlighted Gwadar’s strategic importance, calling it the “center-stage for regional development” and a “symbol of Pakistan-China friendship.”
Li reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development, emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, referring to the airport as a “gift” from China to Pakistan, which underscores their deep-rooted relationship.
The $64 billion CPEC, initiated in 2015 as part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, aims to link China’s northwestern Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s Balochistan province through a 2,000-mile network of roads, railways, and pipelines. The Gwadar port, a vital component of CPEC, is intended to offer China its shortest trade route to the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.
However, the project has faced opposition from ethnic Baloch separatists, who accuse China of exploiting local resources. In recent years, these separatists have targeted Chinese nationals and CPEC-related infrastructure. Earlier this month, a suicide bombing in Karachi, a southern port city, resulted in the deaths of two Chinese engineers working on a CPEC-related energy project. The Balochistan Liberation Army, an outlawed group, claimed responsibility for the attack.
In addition to Baloch separatists, militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have also attacked Chinese nationals and projects.
To address these security concerns, Beijing announced last week that it is collaborating closely with Islamabad to enhance the safety of its citizens, projects, and institutions within Pakistan.
During Li’s visit, Pakistan and China signed 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering various areas, including security, education, science and technology, agriculture, and human development. Moreover, the State Bank of Pakistan and the People’s Bank of China signed an MoU to establish a currency exchange arrangement, further strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
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