- PM Shehbaz meets PM Qiang in Beijing.
- The red carpet was rolled out for Prime Minister Shehbaz.
- It claims to guarantee the safety of the Chinese.
Pakistan and China have vowed to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from its detractors and adversaries, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured Beijing of providing full security to staff working on multi-billion dollar projects.
Prime Minister Shehbaz will visit China from June 4 to 8 at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, with the aim of enhancing cooperation under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key part of the Belt and Road Initiative. the Beijing Route.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office said that during the meeting, the two sides discussed the importance of Gwadar as an important pillar of CPEC and agreed to expedite timely completion of all related infrastructure projects to transform Gwadar into a regional economic hub. .
“They also expressed their firm commitment to protect the CPEC from its detractors and adversaries and to enhance the CPEC in the form of enhanced cooperation,” the statement said.
The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering determination to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.
Chinese investment and financial support since 2013 has been key to the South Asian nation's struggling economy, including renewing loans so Islamabad can meet external financing needs at a time when foreign exchange 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 several projects has slowed down in recent months.
“Unwavering support”
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 is characterized 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 their unwavering support for each other on core issues and expressed their continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of CPEC.
They also emphasized timely completion of all ongoing projects with special focus on industrial development, modernization of agriculture, science and technology and development of special economic zones for socio-economic and mutually beneficial development of Pakistan.
The two sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, including strengthening institutional ties at all levels and in all spheres of bilateral cooperation.
Pakistan and China will also continue to consult closely on issues of regional and global importance and multilateral forums, especially during Pakistan's two-year tenure as a non-member of the United Nations Security Council.
The delegation-level talks were followed by an MoU signing ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz and Premier Qiang, where both signed 23 MoUs and agreements deepening cooperation in transport infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture , media, health, water and socioeconomic aspects. development and others of mutual interest.
The meeting was followed by an official banquet hosted by Premier Li Qiang in the Prime Minister's honor.
