China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, as part of a deepening of trilateral cooperation.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Islamabad on Tuesday.
“The three sides agreed to extend the CPEC to Afghanistan,” a joint statement said. “The three sides will work together to promote the construction of the CPEC, and to enhance economic and trade cooperation.”
The CPEC is a $62 billion project that is aimed at connecting China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea. The project has been a major driver of economic growth in Pakistan, and it is expected to have a similar impact in Afghanistan.
The extension of the CPEC to Afghanistan is seen as a major boost to the country’s economy, which has been struggling since the Taliban took over in August 2021. The project is expected to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and boost trade.
The agreement on the extension of the CPEC is also seen as a sign of the deepening of trilateral cooperation between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The three countries have been working together to improve security and stability in Afghanistan, and the extension of the CPEC is seen as a further step in this direction.
The agreement on the extension of the CPEC is a positive development for all three countries. It is expected to boost economic growth, create jobs, and improve security and stability in Afghanistan. The agreement is also a sign of the deepening of trilateral cooperation between China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.