Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Zhao Lijian has lambasted the criticism of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Monday. The Chinese diplomat did this during a Twitter debate with Pakistani journalist Cyril Almeida and denied the allegations of corruption and unequal distribution of projects under the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. CPEC was announced in 2013, which aims to facilitate trade along an overland route that connects Kashgar in China and the Gwadar port in Pakistan. A network of highways, railways and pipelines are being constructed under the project.
In a seminar organised by Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Zhao said, “CPEC is working well. But there are some people who are maligning the project, which enjoys the support of most of the people of Pakistan.” He also dismissed allegations of corruption in the CPEC, as per an India TV report.
Zhao Lijian yesterday tweeted and termed the allegation like “China using Prisoners as labour to save costs under CPEC” as “nonsense”. He got offensive on Twitter on those who accuse CPEC projects of corruption, which took a debatable turn, resulting in a public spat with senior journalist from Dawn, Cyril Almeida. Zhao further commented about senior journalists believing stories of “Chinese prisoners in CPEC projects” questioning whether “they are out of mind.”
Is China using Prisoners as labour to save costs under CPEC? This is nonsense. The person spreads rumors like this has a hidden agenda
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) December 19, 2016
For those who accuse CPEC projects of corruption, there is one Chinese saying: Gauge the heart of a gentleman with one’s own mean measure.
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) December 19, 2016
In response, Almeida tweeted:
No need for that war on corruption back in China, then… https://t.co/A3T9ARr5DB
— cyril almeida (@cyalm) December 19, 2016
It is really unfortunate that senior journalists believe in this kind of stories of Chinese prisoners in CPEC projects. Are they out of mind https://t.co/wTGcIH3vI0
— Muhammad Lijian Zhao (@zlj517) December 19, 2016
Much that is unfortunate here and several out of their minds, but surely not a reasonable (diplomatic?) response… https://t.co/CTIV3ipZv1
— cyril almeida (@cyalm) December 19, 2016
Earlier at the seminar, the diplomat clarified by saying, “This is all taxpayer’s money. These are investment projects. How can we tolerate corruption or bribe.” Zhao also said all information was readily available, when he was questioned about the alleged secrecy. He also said that some people are making false allegations and said public support was needed to counter the “disinformation” campaigns by the opponents of CPEC.
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Journalist Cyril Almeida was in the news recently after Pakistan barred him from leaving the country for his story on a rift between the country’s civilian and military leaderships.
