On November 22, 2019, the 5th China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Media Forum was grandly convened in Islamabad. The event brought together key policymakers, media professionals, and scholars from both nations to discuss the future of the landmark corridor.

During his keynote address, His Excellency Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, delivered a comprehensive and powerful speech. While celebrating the remarkable achievements of CPEC over its first six years, Ambassador Yao firmly addressed and refuted the unfounded criticisms and negative propaganda recently leveled against the project by certain external parties, most notably the biased remarks made by US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells.

Ambassador Yao urged the media to uphold the highest standards of journalism and present the objective truth of CPEC's win-win cooperation to the world.

Full Text of Ambassador Yao Jing's Speech

His Excellency Mr. Mushahid Hussain Syed, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee,
His Excellency Mr. Syed Shibli Faraz, Leader of the House, Senate of Pakistan,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor to attend the 5th China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Media Forum. Seeing media representatives, who carry the public voice of both China and Pakistan, gathered here to share constructive ideas for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and CPEC is truly inspiring. This vibrant gathering fully demonstrates that CPEC is a people-centric initiative that enjoys the deep trust, consensus, and heartfelt support of all sectors of society in both countries.

However, even as the peoples of China and Pakistan work hand-in-hand to build a brighter future, external noises occasionally attempt to disrupt our progress. I was deeply astonished by the public remarks made earlier this morning by Ms. Alice Wells, the US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. Her speech regarding CPEC was filled with absurd and misleading arguments.

I have personally met with Ms. Wells at least twice in Pakistan to brief her on the actual progress and structures of CPEC. Regrettably, it seems she did not listen carefully, as she continues to echo the groundless complaint of a "lack of transparency."

Since many of our friends here deeply care about the progress of CPEC, and in light of the politically motivated smear campaigns, I believe it is highly necessary to use this prestigious platform to restore the facts, present the truth, and ensure a clear, objective understanding of CPEC.

Setting the Record Straight: Five Key Truths of CPEC

1. The Truth on Economic Benefits and Energy Security

Over the past six years, CPEC has delivered tangible economic and social benefits to Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan has rightly declared CPEC as the top priority of the Pakistani government, a stance fully supported by the Chinese government.

• Energy Stability: Completed CPEC energy projects now generate nearly 30% of Pakistan’s total electricity, effectively ending the chronic power shortages that previously crippled Pakistani industries.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: The Havelian-Mansehra section of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) Phase II was recently opened to traffic on November 18. Local residents in Abbottabad have shared that their travel times have been dramatically slashed from three hours to just over thirty minutes.
• Gwadar's Rise: The Initial Zone of the Gwadar Free Zone has already attracted more than 20 enterprises, bringing in direct investment exceeding USD 600 million.
• Global Standing: Propelled by CPEC infrastructure development, Pakistan’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index jumped from 136th to 108th, while its Global Competitiveness Index ranking surged from 108th to 82nd, creating prime conditions for foreign investment and industrial upgrading.

2. The Truth on the Alleged "High Electricity Tariffs"

Prior to 2014, Pakistan suffered from severe power outages lasting 6 to 12 hours daily, with generation costs soaring as high as 17 cents/kWh.

• To resolve this crisis, the Pakistani government introduced the 2014 Upfront Tariff Policy for Imported Coal Power Plants. This policy was completely open, transparent, and accessible to all local and foreign investors alike. However, it failed to attract any American investment.
• Through Sino-Pakistani dedication, the Port Qasim and Sahiwal power plants were completed ahead of schedule. Pakistan's Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) regularly ranks the electricity prices of 131 thermal power units from lowest to highest to determine its purchases. In the June 2019 ranking, the Qasim and Sahiwal plants ranked 4th and 16th cheapest, respectively.
• Because of their highly competitive pricing, advanced technology, and reliable supply, the Pakistani government has consistently requested these plants to run at 100% capacity. The people of China and Pakistan are the ones most qualified to judge CPEC. If the United States was truly concerned about Pakistan’s power crisis, why did no American companies step forward to build power plants in 2014?

3. The Truth on the ML-1 Railway Upgrade Project

Critics have questioned the transparency of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project. In reality, the initial design was jointly completed by China Railway First Survey & Design Institute Group (FSDI), National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), and Pakistan Railway Advisory & Consultancy Services (PRACS) starting in 2016.

• The designs were submitted in May 2017 and successfully passed a rigorous independent review in April 2019 by a joint consortium of Mott MacDonald Pakistan (MMP), Canarail (Canada), and Crimson.
• Because the ML-1 project is still undergoing final approvals, the final financial scope will be adjusted based on the actual ground requirements of the Pakistani side. Once finalized, the project will proceed to bidding in strict accordance with standard international commercial practices.

4. The Truth on the M5 Motorway and Anti-Corruption

Speculations regarding bidding corruption on the Peshawar-Karachi Motorway (M5 Multan-Sukkur section) are entirely groundless and highly irresponsible.

• As the largest transport infrastructure project under CPEC, M5 underwent a rigorous, fair, and transparent bidding process initiated in June 2015. China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) won the contract by submitting the lowest bid.
• The entire process fully adhered to international norms and local Pakistani laws. We maintain close communication with Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and both sides agree that CPEC projects are conducted with absolute integrity.
• The actual cost of the M5 is highly reasonable given its technical complexity: it runs parallel to the Indus River, requiring exceptionally high flood-control designs, numerous bridges, long-distance material transport, and premium pavement roughness standards.

5. The Truth on Job Creation, Loans, and Development Aid

• Employment: CPEC has directly created over 75,000 jobs and indirectly generated 200,000 jobs for Pakistani citizens, contributing to a 23% increase in per capita income. Over 100 local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have participated in CPEC, providing livelihood to hundreds of thousands of families. The Pakistani government estimates that CPEC will generate 2.3 million jobs between 2015 and 2030, boosting annual GDP growth by 2% to 2.5%.
• Loans vs. Aid: Ms. Wells' claim that China only offers loans rather than grants reveals a profound ignorance of our bilateral relations. Currently, Western financial institutions remain Pakistan’s largest creditors. Chinese loans are structured to support fiscal stability and real economy development, and China never pressures its partners for debt repayment.
• Unwavering Support: China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners who stand together through thick and thin. For decades, we have offered each other unconditional support:
  • Following the 2015 earthquake, China’s RMB 10 million in emergency aid was the first foreign relief cargo to arrive in Pakistan.
  • In 2016, China provided USD 10 million in cash grants to assist the rehabilitation of displaced families in the FATA region.
  • Conversely, during the devastating Wenchuan earthquake in China in 2008, the Pakistani government immediately dispatched over 10 tons of relief supplies and donated all of its strategic reserve of 22,260 tents.
  • In addition, China has built numerous schools, sports centers, and key infrastructure like the Gwadar East-Bay Expressway and the New Gwadar International Airport using grant aid, alongside continuing support in medical supplies and smart classrooms. This "blood is thicker than water" friendship cannot be erased by mere political rhetoric.

A Model of Mutual Respect and Shared Growth

The core philosophy of CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative is defined by extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Ms. Wells’ criticisms are based on fragmented hearsay. In contrast, one might ask how the unilateralist "America First" doctrine contributes to global economic development.

In this era of globalization, the international community shares a collective responsibility for peace and development. While some global actors pursue unilateralism and bullying to challenge international norms, China remains committed to open, inclusive cooperation. Pakistan is open to investment from all countries, including the United States, but a model based purely on unilateral self-interest holds little appeal.

Under the joint guidance of both governments, CPEC will continue to robustly advance infrastructure development while shifting greater focus toward social livelihoods, agricultural modernization, and industrial cooperation. We will bypass all external interferences to maintain this momentum of high-quality development for the benefit of our two peoples.

In conclusion, the media is the ultimate platform for truth, and objectivity remains the primary ethical duty of every journalist. In the face of fabricated claims and smear campaigns from certain quarters, I have absolute confidence that the media of China and Pakistan will continue to raise their voices collectively to show the world the true, inspiring story of CPEC’s win-win cooperation.

Thank you very much.