by Zhao Xiaopeng, Fu Bo, Wang Su

Photo shows Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurates the New Gwadar International Airport in Gwadar of Pakistan, on March 29, 2019. (Gwadar Pro/Ji Xiaoping, Dong Jiapeng)

GWADAR, Pakistan, March 30 (China Economic Net) - The groundbreaking ceremony of the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIAP) under Chinese Grant Assistance was held in Gwadar Free Zone on the afternoon of March 29, 2019. Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Pakistan performed the groundbreaking of NGIAP and made the speeches.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Imran Khan said he was looking forward to extending bilateral cooperation with China in various fields like trade, science and technology and agriculture.

“In the past few years, China has made tremendous progress in science and technology, agriculture and cage fishery. China's experience in these industries has also benefited Pakistan a lot. Therefore, I am very much looking forward to the trip to Beijing. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Chinese friends who work in Gwadar Port, thank you for your hard work and dedication,” said the Prime Minister.

Mr. Yao Jing, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Pakistan said that China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation have a long history. Under the Belt and Road and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the cooperation between the two countries gains new momentum.

He noted that following the bilateral cooperation principle of benefiting local residents, the Chinese and Pakistani governments promote CPEC construction to a new level, expanding the scope of cooperation in the industrial sector and increasing projects in the field of improving people’s livelihood.

According to the presentation from Project Management Company — China Airport Construction Group Co., Ltd. (CACC), the New Gwadar International Airport is located in the Gurandani area 26 kilometers northeast to the Gwadar city. The airport runway will be built in accordance with high standard and be able to accommodate large aircraft such as A380; meanwhile a 14,000 square meter modern terminal building will be built. The project design and construction standards are in line with China and International Civil Aviation Construction Standard and space for future expansion will be reserved. After the groundbreaking ceremony, the Chinese side will select a project contractor to start construction as soon as possible, and the Pakistani side will also fully cooperate to provide the required infrastructure access and security guarantee. After the project is completed, it will become a modern landmark in the region, significantly improving the infrastructure and external transport services in the Gwadar region, and laying a solid foundation for the future development of the port and the city.

Prime Minister paid a visit to the Gwadar Expo 2019, and inaugurated the Clean Green Gwadar Movement. Chairman of the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) Zhang Baozhong introduced the development status and planning of Gwadar to Imran Khan.

On this occasion, Wang Zhihua, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, together with the official from Gwadar, signed a memorandum of understanding for construction of Pakistan and China Vocational Training Institute and Pak-China Friendship Hospital.