ISLAMABAD: Top Pakistani and Chinese officials said on Wednesday the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project has seen “remarkable” performance despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

CPEC is a central part of the Belt and Road Initiative, under which Beijing has pledged over $60 billion for infrastructure projects in Pakistan, much of it in the form of loans. The plan is part of China’s aim to forge “Silk Road” land and sea ties to markets in the Middle East and Europe.

“Despite of Covid-19, the year of 2021 has seen remarkable progress in CPEC,” Pakistan’s Planning Minister Asad Umar said, as quoted by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Umar was addressing an award ceremony for outstanding Pakistani members of CPEC staff held at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.

“We have seen the completion of projects and most importantly broadening of the CPEC that is through the industrial cooperation framework work and now its showing results such as construction work at AIlama Iqbal, Rashakai SEZs (Special Economic Zones) as well as expansion of Special Economic Zone in Gwadar,” he said.

Ying Xiong, director general of the Department of International Affairs, Office of the Leading Group for Promoting the BRI in China, addressed the event online, saying that the CPEC projects are in full swing.

“Even in the face of the severe impact of COVID-19, the CPEC projects still enjoy smooth operation,” he said, as quoted by China’s official state press agency Xinhua.

“There is no stop of the CPEC projects construction, no job cut for Pakistani staff and no withdrawal of the Chinese workforce. The CPEC construction has bucked the trend with continuous new achievements.”

Beijing’s envoy to Pakistan, Nong Rong, expressed hope that CPEC, as a landmark project of the BRI, would help “consolidate” Chinese-Pakistani relations.

“It is hoped that the Chinese and Pakistani staff will cherish the opportunity, contribute to the construction of CPEC with practical actions, and continue to consolidate the ironclad friendship between the two countries,” he said.