An article published in Global Times on September 20, 2017, quoted Bloomberg News as reporting that "China is racing to complete the Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) ahead of schedule" and nine months ahead of its December 2021 completion date. In an apparent reassertion of China's committment to Pakistan and the CPEC, the state-owned Global Times added that "China is likely to maintain its neutral stance on the India-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir, but this will not interfere with China's efforts to increase its economic presence in the region, in a bid to ensure more local people could benefit from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)". It stated that the Karot Hydropower Project is "located on the Jhelum River on the boundary between the Punjab region of Pakistan and the country's self-governing Azad Kashmir division". It observed that the shortened construction period "suggested the project has gained understanding, support and trust from local authorities and the public in POK". Describing the hydropower plant as a flagship project of the CPEC, the Global Times asserted that "Chinese investors won't abandon POK just because Kashmir remains a contested area between India and Pakistan. By financing the project, China can gain experience that may help future efforts by China to invest in the region". The article observed "as the POK economy begins to improve along with infrastructure expansion, an amicable settlement to the dispute between India and Pakistan becomes more possible" and concluded with the hope that "a near-term economic recovery in POK could in turn persuade India to share the benefits brought by China's Belt and Road initiative, although the CPEC, which is a flagship project of the initiative, does not target any third party".
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