STORY: Gwadar port under CPEC transformed from old wharf to modern port
DATELINE: Oct. 13, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:40
LOCATION: Islamabad
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Gwadar port
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YU BO, Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAJID ALI, Pakistani staff member of Gwadar Port
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): YU BO, Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company

STORYLINE:

Located in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan, the Gwadar port is the end point of a 3,000 km-long China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an important project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Over the years, the port has been transformed from an old wharf into a modern port, injecting more impetus into local development.

Now, the Gwadar port can simultaneously dock two 50,000-ton ships, and effectively handle a variety of businesses, including container handling, bulk cargo, as well as oil and liquefied gas operations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): YU BO, Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company
"From the current state of development, in the first half of this year, we achieved a container throughput of 1,160 TEUs and handled 500,000 tons of bulk cargo. Therefore, it is likely that this year's port throughput will reach a historic high. Furthermore, with the construction of complementary facilities such as the desalination plant and airport, this will create even more favorable conditions for the Gwadar Free Zone."

The Gwadar port is becoming an engine for local economic development, employment and income growth.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MAJID ALI, Pakistani staff member of Gwadar Port
"This job provided me with wide-ranging benefits. It ranges from social to economy, and the biggest thing or the biggest benefit that I have experienced is the exposure I got from here."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): YU BO, Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, also the 10th anniversary of the CPEC, a flagship project of the BRI, we will continue to focus on the construction and operation of the Gwadar port and give full play to its role in the economic, social and livelihood development."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Islamabad.
(XHTV)