BEIJING, Dec 22 (INP): Chinese media took a strong exception to the recent report of New York Times, dispelling the impression that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has any link with the two countries’ defense cooperation.

A Chinese influential newspaper, the Global Times in an article on Saturday says, the Defense cooperation between China and Pakistan is a normal and a routine practice which should not be linked to the Belt and Road initiative (BRI) or the CPEC.

Commenting on the report that claimed China is expanding military influence in Pakistan under the BRI, the paper pointed out the depth of Pakistan-China relations goes beyond China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the BRI.

The newspaper in the article stressed that Pakistan's military collaboration with China is a part of a strategic partnership which shouldn't be simply limited to CPEC or BRI.

"With regards to defense cooperation and the military aspect there are no funds allocated or no designs expressed under CPEC long-term plan. Whatever defense cooperation we witness today has a history and should be viewed separately," It stressed.

In Friday's routine press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying also responded to the New York Times report, calling it untrue.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Chinese Embassy here Lijian Zhao also rubbished criticism of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) published in the New York Times and said it was Western countries which pushed Pakistan in a debt trap.

Zhao took issue with the article’s argument that China is ensnaring Pakistan in a debt trap and said CPEC loans constituted only $6 billion of Pakistan’s $95 billion international debt. He also refuted the stated figure of $23 billion owed to China.

The Chinese diplomat has spoken with facts and figures to counter propaganda by some circles in the West about CPEC and its relevance to the debt burden of Pakistan.

What Lijian said is a reality and that is why people of Pakistan have always rejected negative propaganda against CPEC and wanted the Government to pursue the initiative with full vigour and zeal as it is deeply linked to progress and prosperity of the country.

Instead of adding to the debt burden of the country, the Chinese investment and loans under the framework of CPEC would help Pakistan address its core problems that hinder its economic, industrial and agricultural growth and increase in production would strength the country’s capability to pay back its loans.

Unlike some Western countries, China is not attaching strings to the cooperation or assistance as its cooperative framework is rooted in its desire to promote common good.

INP/J/AJ