- PM expresses unflinching resolve to ensure safety of Chinese personnel in Pakistan, enhance cooperation
- 23 MOUs signed to strengthen bilateral ties across multiple sectors MoUs covering transportation infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, health and other areas of interest
BEIJING/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Friday reiterated their commitment to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from its detractors and adversaries with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured Beijing of providing complete security to personnel working on multi-billion projects.
PM Shehbaz is visiting China from June 4 to 8 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, seeking to upgrade cooperation under the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
According to a PM’s Office statement on Friday, during a meeting, the two sides discussed the significance of Gwadar as an important pillar of CPEC and agreed to expedite the timely completion of all related infrastructure projects to transform Gwadar into a regional economic hub.
“They also expressed their firm commitment to protect CPEC from its detractors and adversaries and to upgrade CPEC in the form of enhanced cooperation,” the statement said.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.
During the talks, the two leaders discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest.
They noted that the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership was characterised by mutual trust, shared principles and strategic convergence.
Premier Li congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz on Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The two leaders reaffirmed unwavering support for each other on core issues and expressed continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of CPEC.
They also emphasised the timely completion of all ongoing projects with a special focus on industrial development, agriculture modernisation, Science & Technology and the development of Special Economic Zones for mutually beneficial and socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The two sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges including strengthening institutional linkages at all tiers and in all spheres of bilateral cooperation.
Pakistan and China will also continue to consult closely on issues of regional and global significance and multilateral fora, especially during the two-year tenure of Pakistan as a non-member of the UNSC.
23 MOUs signed to strengthen bilateral ties across multiple sectors
Meanwhile, Pakistan and China have inked 23 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing collaboration across various sectors.
The MoUs signed Friday included transportation infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, healthcare, water management, socioeconomic development, and other mutual areas of interest.
Following delegation-level discussions between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch briefed the media, emphasising the robust Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership founded on mutual trust, shared principles, and strategic governance.
During his visit, Prime Minister Sharif engaged with Chinese investors and entrepreneurs, promoting investment opportunities in Pakistan and facilitating the signing of numerous MoUs in sectors such as economy, green energy, textiles, and manufacturing.
Before departing for China, Prime Minister Sharif expressed intentions to foster mutually beneficial investments and enhance relations between Chinese and Pakistani businesses, stressing the potential for significant benefits for both countries.
The meeting was followed by an official banquet hosted by Premier Li Qiang in honour of the prime minister.
Chinese investment and financial support since 2013 have been key for the South Asian nation’s struggling economy, including the rolling over of loans so that Islamabad is able to meet external financing needs at a time when foreign reserves are critically low.
China has also invested billions in various power projects and road networks in Pakistan under the $65 billion CPEC plan, but the implementation of various projects has slowed in recent months.
