China's President Xi Jinping said “No matter how the international landscape may change, China will always stand firmly with Pakistan” showing his commitment to take the strategic ties between China and Pakistan to new heights as the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Islamabad.

The ambitious CPEC infrastructure projects, launched in 2013, have been an essential part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and are aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.

In his message to the 'Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' celebration event, President Xi hailed the USD 60 billion CPEC infrastructure program as a significant pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative. The CPEC links Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, which has been a point of contention as India opposes the project due to its path through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, during his three-day visit to Pakistan, attended the event, emphasizing China's commitment to work alongside Pakistan to achieve high-standard, sustainable, and livelihood-enhancing outcomes for the CPEC. President Xi highlighted that the collaboration between China and Pakistan has led to early achievements under the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.

The CPEC has played a pivotal role in driving Pakistan's economic and social development and laid a strong foundation for regional connectivity and integration, President Xi stated. The Chinese President praised the CPEC as a testament to the unwavering friendship between China and Pakistan.

He pledged that both countries will continue to improve overall planning, expand and deepen cooperation, and advance together in solidarity, reinforcing their ironclad friendship and coordinating on development and security matters.

The Belt and Road Initiative, initiated in 2013, aims to connect Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa, and Europe through a network of land and sea routes. While praised for its infrastructure potential, the initiative faces criticism for burdening smaller nations with Chinese debt. Sri Lanka's 99-year lease of the Hambantota port to China in 2017 is an example.