LAHORE: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returned home on Saturday evening after a whirlwind five-day China trip that saw Islamabad and Beijing signing over 23 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), covering areas from transportation to socioeconomic development.
Before departing to Pakistan, PM Shehbaz was seen off by Shaanxi Province Vice Governor Chen Chunjiang, and senior Chinese and Pakistan Embassy officials at the airport.
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit etched as another milestone in further solidifying Pakistan-China bilateral relations, bilateral trade, strategic partnership and the initiation of the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
The prime minister said that his recent visit to China added a new dimension to the bilateral ties between Pakistan and China and thanked the Chinese leadership including President Xi and Premier Li Qiang for their hospitality. He said that the friendship between the two countries was unprecedented.
During the visit, the Chinese business people and investors met with their Pakistani counterparts, PM Shehbaz said, adding that Chinese progress in information technology, agriculture, minerals and other sectors was worth emulating.
“The economic partnership between China and Pakistan will benefit the people of the two countries. The positive outcome of the recent visit will have long-lasting impacts,” PM Shehbaz was quoted as saying.
Separately, on his X account, the prime minister extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people and Government of China for the warm hospitality throughout this remarkable and immensely fruitful visit.
“Under President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership, China is reaching new heights and in order for Pakistan to flourish and progress, there are abundant lessons we can glean from our steadfast ally. Pakistan and China are proud to be Iron Brothers!” PM Shehbaz further added in the post.
During the visit, Pakistan and China inked 23 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing collaboration across various sectors.
The MoUs signed included transportation infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, healthcare, water management, socioeconomic development, and other mutual areas of interest.
The documents were signed after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang held delegation-level talks wherein they reaffirmed that the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership was characterized by mutual trust, shared principles, and strategic governance.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang witnessed the ceremony as representatives from both sides signed the documents.
Zàijiàn , China 🇨🇳! I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people and Government of China for the warm hospitality throughout this remarkable and immensely fruitful visit. Under President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership, China is reaching new heights and In order for Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/vSFZRBqVD8
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 8, 2024
