BEIJING, Jan 31 (INP): Pakistan may be a major beneficiary of China’s new diplomacy that lays greater focus on promotion of President’s Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road’s initiative (BRI). In view of the fact, that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a pilot and major project of BRI, it is obvious that the two countries’ socio-economic partnership will get boost in the year 2018, Chinese economic experts said here on Wednesday. Professor of Communication University of China, Zhang Lei, commenting on China’s new diplomacy said Pakistan occupies central place in BRI’s initiative. The Chinese government is determined to provide all support to Pakistan to make the CPEC successful, that paves the way of smooth working of BRI. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi announced that China would cement friendship and cooperation with neighboring countries and cooperation with vast developing countries within the framework of BRI. Outlining China's diplomacy in 2018 at the New Year Reception, he said China will continue to play a constructive role in resolving regional hotspot issues, and promote settling disputes and conflicts through dialogues and consultation. Addressing foreign diplomats to China, Wang said China would further promote the Belt and Road construction in the newyear, and implement the consensus reached at the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held in Beijing in May 2017. China will make good preparations for hosting a series of diplomatic events such as the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and the summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, he said. "China will deepen its global partnership network in 2018, and is committed to building a major-country framework featuring stability and balanced development," Wang said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a news briefing endorsed Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s views on CPEC, stating that it will help to improve the economic environment not only of Pakistan but the entire region. When asked to comment on PM’s reported interview he gave while attending the Davos World Economic Forum, she said they have noticed the report, in which he spokes high about the importance of BRI. Hua Chunying said, the Chinese side has said many times that the main objective of the "One Belt and One Road Initiative" proposed by China is to strengthen development cooperation and promote win-win development by strengthening international cooperation and focusing on infrastructure interconnection and mutual development. In the recent five years, the "Belt and Road" has proceeded smoothly and also achieved fruitful results. It has provided a large number of employment opportunities for the countries concerned, improved the development environment for participating countries and the space and potential for regional cooperation, and are welcomed by the countries and peoples concerned. . INP/J/AJ