Photo taken on April 10, 2021 shows a night view of the Lahore converter station of the ±660kV Matiari-Lahore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan's eastern Punjab Province. The transmission ceremony of the project was held simultaneously in Islamabad and China's Beijing through video link on June 25, 2021.Photo:Xinhua

 The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has made positive progress, bucking the general trend during the pandemic, while effectively promoting Pakistan's economic development and improving people's livelihoods, an outcome that has been welcomed by the people in Pakistan, foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on Thursday.

The remark was made in response to questions from the Indian media, referring to some reports claiming that construction of the CPEC has slowed down significantly in the past three and a half years and that the two sides have not approved new projects under the project framework.

"This is pure fake news," Zhao said, noting that under the CPEC framework, new agricultural working groups, information technology working groups and scientific and technological working groups have been established. 

In the past three and a half years, a number of livelihood and social projects under the corridor framework have been approved and implemented, and good results have been achieved, the spokesperson noted.

The CPEC, as an important pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative, adheres to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, Zhao said.

The corridor's progress has also bucked the general trend of the pandemic, effectively promoting Pakistan's economic development and improving people's livelihoods, the spokesperson added.

Pakistan's top government officials and media have also expressed positive affirmation of the progress made by the corridor.

There were also questions at the press conference about some media reports alleging that the Pakistani side is still waiting for China's loan commitment after applying to China for a loan of $2.43 billion for a railway project more than a year ago. Zhao responded by saying that it is a huge investment project and relevant departments on both sides are negotiating about it.