'Work on new CPEC projects may begin later this year'

Work on 27 new projects in the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was expected to begin by the end of the year, said Wang Yu, the Consul General of China to Pakistan.

Wang made the remarks while addressing the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) on Thursday, Dawn news reported.

"Agriculture, education, vocational training, industry, increase in water supply, etc, are all part of our plans for the next phase," he added.

The Consul General's remarks come after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 19 directed authorities to expedite work on half a dozen CPEC projects that have been facing significant delays.

The $60 billion CPEC is a key project of Beijing's Belt and Road initiative that aims to connect Asia, Africa and Europe through a vast network of highways, rail lines and sea lanes.

The multi-billion dollar corridor connects the Chinese city of Kashgar with Pakistan's Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea.

India sternly opposes the CPEC, a key artery of the Belt and Road project that cuts through Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, New Delhi's raison d'etre for staying away from the trillion-dollar connectivity scheme.