CPEC's concept of 'one corridor with multiple passages' realized: Chinese envoy

A container is loaded onto the COSCO Wellington cargo vessel in Gwadar, Pakistan, on Nov. 13, 2016. Gwadar port marked its first export of a large number of containers to overseas destinations, showing that the port has restored the designed handling capacity. (Xinhua/Liu Tian)

GWADAR, Pakistan, Nov. 13  -- Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said here Sunday that the concept of "one corridor with multiple passages" under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been realized as the first bilateral joint trade convoy reached Gwadar port from China's Kashgar.

Addressing a ceremony celebrating the arrival of the co-organized trade convoy, Sun said this is the first time that a trade convoy successfully passed through the western part of Pakistan from the north to the south. "It proves the connectivity of local roads, and realization of the concept of 'one corridor with multiple passages'," said the ambassador.

He added that the trade convoy is the best reflection of the spirits of mutual consultation, joint construction, mutual benefits and win-win cooperation, and the spirits will serve as the solid basis for the future construction of the CPEC.

Sun also commented that the CPEC has entered into full implementation with remarkable progress as 16 early harvest projects are under construction and tens of thousands of new jobs have been created for local people.

Meanwhile, with the loading of the last container onto the COSCO Wellington cargo vessel, Gwadar port also marked its first export of a large number of containers to overseas destinations, showing that the port has restored the designed handling capacity.

For his part, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the CPEC is destined to transform the entire country and open up a world of possibilities for not just Pakistan but also Central Asian states and the rest of Asia.

He said that China-proposed Belt and Road initiative matches Pakistan's "Vision 2025" and the two projects will enhance connectivity among regional countries and provide opportunities for shared development.