ISLAMABAD: China’s ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong called on Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday, who assured the Chinese official about the security of the country’s citizens working in Pakistan.
Nine Chinese workers employed at the Dasu Hydropower Project were killed in a bus attack in northwestern Pakistan last week. The project is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a $65 billion investment plan aiming to link western China to the southern Pakistani port of Gwadar.
Beijing had initially called it a bomb attack but backed away from the assertion after Pakistan stated it was an accident. Later Beijing sent a team to help investigate the matter jointly with Pakistan.
“In wake of the recent Dasu bus incident involving Chinese citizens, COAS [chief of army staff] extended heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the government and the people of the Republic of China, particularly the bereaved families,” the Pakistani military’s media wing said in a statement. “COAS said that Pakistan Army greatly values its brotherly relations with our time-tested friend and also assured full support /cooperation and security of Chinese citizens working in Pakistan.”
“COAS said that while we work for peace, we need to stay strong to thwart designs of all inimical forces challenging our resolve particularly those threatening China-Pakistan strategic cooperation,” the statement added. “Both agreed on need for continuous engagement and coordination for peace and stability in the region.”
The blast in Dasu occurred when a bus came under attack while it was on its way to the under-construction dam site in the area. Thirteen people in total were killed.