By Adnan Hameed TWA ______ The ambassador of the Republic Republic of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Wednesday said the strategic relations between the two countries were moving forward under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “There are immense opportunities to increase exports through the port of Gwadar and special economic zones,” he said while addressing a day-long international conference. The conference titled “CPEC: Enhancing Community with a Shared Future for Mankind” was organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives in collaboration with the Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan. The ambassador highlighted the vast opportunities for growth and cooperation in areas such as green energy, oil and gas exploration, and IT, emphasizing that the economic corridor provided a platform for all countries to invest and benefit from it. He also acknowledged the significant progress made in Pakistan-China relations during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China, and expressed hope for further strengthening strategic ties through CPEC. The envoy said the decades-long friendship between China and Pakistan was strong and stable, adding both countries wanted peace and development in the region and world as well. He highlighted China’s desire for peace and development in Pakistan, stressing the need for global cooperation to achieve these objectives. In recent years, Jiang Zaidong said the southern countries of the world have emerged as symbols of economic development, taking interest in global affairs. He said Chinese President Xi has provided a forum to promote the development process in southern countries. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of the Ministry of Planning Awais Manzur Sumra highlighted the significant investments made in various sectors of Pakistan under CPEC over the past decade. He mentioned that several important energy and infrastructure projects have been completed, and that Pakistan and China were determined for successful execution of CPEC Phase-II. The secretary emphasized that under 2nd phase of the CPEC, five corridors in major sectors would be established, developing new technologies and creating more job opportunities. He also mentioned that research in science and technology would be promoted, adding efforts were being made to operationalize Gwadar and special industrial zones. The secretary said the Gwadar port would also provide trade opportunities to Afghanistan, expressing confidence that that CPEC Phase-II would usher a new era of prosperity and development not only in Pakistan but in the whole region.