''Those who oppose BRI, CPEC Will Never Succeed'': Xi To Bajwa

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa that those who oppose his pet projects - BRI and CPEC - will "never succeed" as se are initiatives aimed at fostering peace and development. USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor (CPEC) is flagship project of multi-billion dollar Belt and Ro Initiative (BRI), a pet project of President Xi aimed at enhancing China's influence around world through China-funded infrastructure projects.

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India has opposed CPEC project and protested to China as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). General Bajwa, who is in China, called on Xi after his meetings with top Chinese military officials, including General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission.

"While we work for peace, we need to stay strong to thwart designs of all inimical forces challenging our resolve. We greatly value Chinese support...," Bajwa said.

He met Xi on a special invitation and y discussed regional security environment, challenges and way forward, Pakistan military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

"Those who oppose BRI or CPEC shall never succeed as this is an initiative of peace and development t only for China but for region and beyond," it quoted Xi as saying. 

Terming Pakistan as "our time-tested iron friend", he said country h a pivotal role towards this lasting relationship. He ackwledged role of Pakistan armed forces towards regional peace and stability. President Xi said that China shall continue to support Pakistan as a strategic partner.

Bajwa said that Pakistan understands importance of peace and has given lot of sacrifices for achieving it.He said BRI, with CPEC as its flagship project, is destined to succeed despite all odds and Pakistan Army shall ensure security of CPEC at all costs, statement said.

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Xi said two sides have been keeping "highly aligned" with each or on major international and regional issues, state-run Global Times reported. China always places a high premium on China-Pakistan relations, he said, ding that two sides h maintained a high level of mutual trust on issues of each or's major concerns.

"As long as high-degree mutual trust and concrete measures are in place, China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor construction will succeed and deliver benefits to people of two countries.

"At present, international and regional situation is undergoing complex changes and two countries are supporting each or, helping each or and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation, which have yielded fruitful outcomes," Xi said, ding that such efforts comply with trend of times.