Pakistan reiterates one-China principle, rejects CPEC rumors
Xinhua
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ISLAMABAD, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aisha Farooqui reiterated on Thursday that Pakistan firmly supports the one-China principle, stressing that Taiwan-related affairs are China's internal affairs.

"There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China," the spokesperson said at her weekly briefing when asked about the recent leadership election in China's Taiwan.

In response to rumors concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Farooqui said Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and the CPEC is a transformational project for Pakistan.

"The expeditious completion of CPEC projects is the number one priority of our government," the spokesperson said, adding that CPEC has helped to address development gaps in energy, infrastructure, industrialization and job creation in Pakistan and CPEC is also beneficial in the context of both regional connectivity and regional prosperity.

"All countries are welcome to invest in the special economic zones of CPEC," she said.

In an interview with American media outlet CNBC on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan is grateful to China, because when China came to help Pakistan with the Belt and Road Initiative and CPEC, Pakistan was at rock bottom.

Because of the Chinese investment, Pakistan has been able to attract more foreign investment and Pakistan is establishing special economic zones under CPEC, Khan added.