Corridor to progress

Premier Li Keqiang called on Friday for China and Pakistan to work for the construction of their economic corridor to achieve more progress and benefit more people.

Developing ties with Pakistan is a priority of China's foreign policy and the China-Pakistan corridor sets up a strategic framework for the two countries' cooperation, Li told Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Beijing.

The economic corridor project was first discussed during Li's visit to Pakistan in May 2013.

It refers, geographically, to the 2,000-kilometer road and rail link connecting Kashgar in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to the southwestern Pakistani port of Gwadar.

The project is not confined to transportation infrastructure as - in addition to road and railway construction - it also includes energy cooperation and investment programs.

Li called for Pakistan to continue taking effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese projects and people in the country.

China would like to work with Pakistan and related parties in safeguarding regional peace and stability, and development, said the Premier.

China firmly supports Pakistan in upholding the integrity of its sovereignty, independence and territory, he added.

Calling the Pakistan-China relationship an outstanding example of ties between nations, Sadiq said Pakistan would like to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various areas.

Pakistan will build up the corridor with China to benefit the nations and people in the region, Sadiq said.

On Jan 19, China and Pakistan launched the China-Pakistan Year of Friendly Exchanges in 2015.