ISLAMABAD: China, Pakistan will work together to make economic corridor project free of any corruption and financial mismanagement, said Chinese Assistant Minister National Bureau of Corruption Prevention Liu Jianchao.
In this connection, he said both sides will soon sign an agreement to ensure transparency in the implementation of China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). He was briefing the newsmen about his meetings with Pakistani officials and Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) here at a local hotel on Tuesday.
Terming the CPEC as most important project in their bilateral relationship, he said they need to make all possible efforts for its success. Liu who earlier had served his country as Assistant Foreign Minister and took the new assignment two months back gave the detail of the ongoing efforts making the Chinese society free of corruption. For this, he gave credit to leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.
About the CEPC, he further said if there would be any complaint of misappropriation of fund relating to this mega project, it would be investigated by both sides and responsible found of corruption will be punished. The CPEC, he said will be symbol of good governance. This project, he asserted will be clean and transparent. Under the law, he said it has been made forbidden for the Chinese business companies to get themselves involved in any corruption, while carrying out the development projects.
Both sides, he added will work closely to prevent, detect and control the corruption in all the projects, undertaken at their bilateral level.
Liu Jianchao further said the leadership of the two countries attached great importance to CPEC and wanted to make it successful at all cost. This project will contribute a lot in promotion of peace and development not only in the two countries, but whole of the region. It is a pilot project of one road, one belt’s initative of the Chinese government.
The Chinese Minister, while praising high the Sino-Pak friendship, he said that they are looking forward to have close cooperation in fighting out corruption.
Liu Jianchao termed the corruption a great threat to security, peace and socio-economic development. His country, he said has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against corruption. Thousands of Chinese people, found committing corruption have been punished. There are 150 officials above the level of Assistant Minister or Assistant Governor who faced serious punishment for committing corrupt practices. There are about 600 corrupt Chinese officials who had fled abroad and the government succeeded to bring them back and punished them under the law.
The Minister said they succeeded to get control the spread of this menace, hoping it be would soon put to an end.
INP