Pakistan, China sign satellite pact to monitor CPEC projects

With a focus on accelerating the development projects in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the two countries have signed a pact to launch a satellite to monitor the projects. The agreement was signed on April 20, and the two countries have agreed to launch the satellite in June 2018. The under construction CPEC project is estimated to be worth $46 billion. The pact was signed between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the China Great Wall Industry Cooperation (CGWIC) to launch the “Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) System”. Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Ahsan Iqbal and CGWIC President, Yin Limping signed the agreement to boost ties between the two sides. “Bilateral cooperation between the two countries in space domain would open new vistas of socio-economic and scientific cooperation, giving boost to the historic bilateral cordial relations in other fields,” Mr Iqbal said. “Space technology is fundamental in socio-economic development, infrastructure upgradation, agriculture production, urban planning in new age,” he added. As per the agreement, it would transfer space technology and the PRSS-1 to Pakistan. The project is another flagship programme between China and Pakistan that seeks to bolster relations after CPEC. “It would go a long way to redefine the bilateral relations,” Mr Iqbal said. The project is expected to enhance Pakistan’s national security. It is also expected to help Pakistan’s border security and surveillance apparatus.