Key points
- Chinese envoy Jiang Ziadong calls on Pakistan’s Premier Shehbaz Sharif
- Pakistani premier hopes new year would further strengthen bonds of friendship
- Matters related to economic and security cooperation discussed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China expressed their strong resolve and commitment to further consolidate bilateral economic and security cooperation.
This was discussed during a meeting on the auspicious occasion of the Chinese New Year when Chinese Ambassador Jiang Ziadong called on Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House on Friday morning.
The meeting was significant which took place a day after the high-level United States business delegation met Premier Shehbaz Sharif and signed several MOUs for future possible investment in Pakistan.
Bonds of friendship
Shehbaz Sharif greeted the ambassador and conveyed his good wishes to the Chinese leadership as well as the brotherly people of China, including all Chinese nationals residing in Pakistan, in their New Year celebrations, an official statement said by the PM Office.
Pakistani premier expressed the hope that this new year would further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and China and bring prosperity to the people of both countries.
Matters related to economic and security cooperation between the two nations were also discussed during the meeting.
The ambassador thanked the prime minister and the people of Pakistan for extending their warm wishes to the Chinese government and its people at this joyous occasion.
CPEC and new opportunities
Earlier, Pakistan’s Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan and China are writing a new chapter of collaboration that will benefit the generations to come, Radio Pakistan reported.
He said work on two mega projects Karakoram highway phase two and ML-1 will commence this year.
The minister for planning said the second phase of CPEC opens up immense opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, Information Technology and tourism. He noted that development of Special Economic Zones and modernization of agriculture would drive economic diversification, create millions of jobs and enhance Pakistan’s global competitiveness.
He mentioned that the second phase of CPEC is focused on business-to-business cooperation aimed at unlocking even greater economic potential.
Ahsan Iqbal said the CPEC is a symbol of unshakeable friendship and presents a roadmap to sustainable development and mutual growth and prosperity not only for our two nations but the broader region as well.
The Minister for Planning expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for their unwavering support to the vision of CPEC.
