ISLAMABAD: Several federal ministries and government advisers praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ongoing visit to the brotherly land of China to attend the Winter Olympics opening ceremony and meet with Chinese authorities on Thursday.
In separate comments and video messages, they said the visit would help boost high-level exchanges and expand bilateral cooperation in a variety of industries, and they expressed optimism that Chinese investment in Pakistan would increase after the visit.
Imran landed in Beijing on Thursday at the Chinese leadership’s invitation. He is joined by a high-level delegation, according to the Foreign Office, which includes members of his cabinet and senior government officials.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated in a statement to Radio Pakistan that the visit will assist boost high-level exchanges. He went on to say that several Chinese corporations were interested in investing in Pakistan.
Shaukat Tarin, Pakistan’s finance minister, said the prime minister would suggest to the Chinese leadership that their industries be relocated to Pakistan’s special economic zones (SEZs). With the prime ministerial visit, Planning Minister Asad Umar predicted that Chinese investment in Pakistan will expand even further.
Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser, said in a video message that the visit would provide an opportunity to discuss methods to build peace in the country. He went on to say that Pakistan and China will work together to ensure that terrorism would not take place on Afghan soil.
According to Dr. Yusuf, China wants the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to be extended to Afghanistan, and Pakistan supports the idea. He also mentioned that he had recently visited Afghanistan, and that the Afghan interim administration had expressed interest in doing so.
Prior to the prime minister’s departure for Beijing, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry briefed the media in Islamabad, expressing hope that the visit would strengthen bilateral ties and bring more Chinese businessmen to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, according to Chaudhry. He also mentioned that the prime minister would be meeting with Chinese investors and businessmen.
Adviser on Commerce Razak Dawood stated in a video message that the negotiations with the Chinese side would be focused on boosting commercial relations and exports. “We want to improve certain aspects of the free-trade deal even more,” he said.
He specifically listed rice, cement, fruits, and vegetables as examples of exports. He was optimistic that the visit would boost Pakistan’s exports. Pakistan also wished to acquire cutting-edge technology from China in order to enhance its agriculture industry, according to the adviser.
