BEIJING: Pakistan and China on Friday expressed their firm resolve to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from its detractors and adversaries, ensure the timely completion of all current projects, and support the high-quality CPEC development.
The bilateral relations and cooperation were discussed in the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People on Friday. The PM was accompanied by key members of his cabinet.
A welcome ceremony was also arranged in honour of the PM on his arrival at the Great Hall of the People.
During the talks, the two sides discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties, regional and global developments of mutual interest.
They noted that the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership was characterized by shared principles, mutual trust, and strategic convergence.
PM Li congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.
The two leaders also reaffirmed unwavering support for each other on core matters and expressed continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The two sides emphasized the timely completion of all current projects with a special focus on industrial development, science and technology, agriculture modernization, and development of Special Economic Zones for mutually beneficial and socio-economic development and progress of Pakistan.
The two sides also discussed the importance of Gwadar as an important pillar of China Pakistan Economic Corridor 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 resolve to protect CPEC from its detractors and adversaries and to upgrade CPEC project in the form of enhanced cooperation.
PM Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Islamabad’s unflinching resolve to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.
They agreed to maintain high-level exchanges including strengthening institutional linkages at all tiers and in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. China and Pakistan will also continue to consult closely on issues of regional and global significance and multilateral fora, particularly during the two-year tenure of Pakistan as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.
The delegation-level talks were followed by an MoU signing ceremony, witnessed by Shehbaz Sharif and Premier Li Qiang, where both inked 23 MoUs and agreements deepening cooperation in transport infrastructure, energy, industry, media, health, agriculture, water, socio-economic development and others of mutual interest.
The meeting was followed by an official banquet hosted by Premier Li Qiang in honour of PM Shehbaz Sharif.
