China and Pakistan are unequivocally dedicated to the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and any reports in certain sections of the media suggesting China's reluctance to broaden the CPEC are inaccurate, stated the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (PD&SI). According to an official notification, water resources, climate action, tourism, and all critical sectors are integral components of the CPEC Long-Term Plan, Gwadar Pro reported on Saturday. As per the Ministry of PD&SI statement, some articles have claimed that China does not want to expand the scope of the CPEC. "These claims are factually incorrect and misleading," reads the statement. It further reads that China and Pakistan are committed to expanding the scope of CPEC to include new areas of cooperation, such as water resources management, climate change, and tourism. 

These areas were already part of the CPEC Long Term Plan, and both sides agreed during the deliberations before the 11th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to work out the detailed contours of these projects in upcoming sessions of respective Joint Working Groups (JWGs). JWGs are technical bodies comprising experts from both sides, who are responsible for conceiving and evaluating project proposals in their respective areas.  This is a standard procedure for CPEC projects, and it ensures that all proposals are carefully considered and that they meet the goals and objectives of the CPEC Long-Term Plan. "Both sides are fully resolved to now harness the investments in infrastructure for economic growth, particularly in export-oriented industries, agriculture productivity, and natural resource management, all while enhancing partnership in addressing the concerns of climate change and sustainable development," the ministry stated.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China