Pakistan-China friendship has reached a new level as a result of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s declaration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the ever-expanding economic ties between the two countries.
Pakistan, according to Shehbaz Sharif, is prepared to collaborate closely with China to realize its shared vision of connectivity, prosperity, and societal well-being. He made the statement during a meeting with Yang Jiechi, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the director of its foreign affairs commission, in Islamabad on Thursday. Yang Jiechi is a member of Politburo and the director of the CPC’s Foreign Affairs Commission.
Shehbaz Sharif welcomed Director Yang and gave President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang his warmest greetings and well wishes.
According to him, Director Yang’s visit signified the continuation of Pakistan and China’s long-standing All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’s hallmark high-level interactions between the two nations.
The prime minister recalled his lengthy discussion with Premier Li Keqiang in May 2022, during which the two leaders had discussed the full range of bilateral relations and traded opinions on the situation in the region and around the world.
The importance of Director Yang’s visit was emphasized by PM Sharif in order to hasten the implementation of the leaders’ agreement to further strengthen bilateral ties in all areas. He emphasized how important economic cooperation had become to the expansive Pakistan-China relationship.
Shehbaz expressed his satisfaction with the expansion of bilateral trade and financial ties, noting that China’s unwavering assistance was crucial in helping Pakistan counteract outside shocks to the global economy and proving the partnership’s continued resiliency in the face of increased global uncertainty.
Shehbaz Sharif particularly thanked China for the renewal of the RMB 15 billion (the US $ 2.3 billion) syndicate facility. He also thanked China for its support and assistance to Pakistan’s efforts towards preventing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic by providing millions of vaccine doses as well as protective and medical equipment.
The prime minister underlined that as a flagship of the visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC had transformed Pakistan’s economic base and strengthened its capacity for self-development. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to accelerate the pace and complete CPEC projects at the earliest.
He also underscored the high importance Pakistan attached to the strategic ML-I and other key projects including Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Babusar Tunnel, and desalinization plant in Karachi. The CPEC and growing economic linkages had deepened the roots of the abiding friendship between the peoples of both countries, the prime minister noted.
Atop this unshakeable foundation, the Pakistan-China partnership would continue to play its valuable role as a factor of peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The prime minister reiterated his strong condemnation of the Karachi terrorist attack and underscored Pakistan’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhanced measures for safety, security, and protection of the Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in the country.
Recalling the recent visit of the tri-services delegation to China led by the Chief of Army Staff, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the expanding defense and security cooperation between Pakistan and China which was contributing to regional peace and stability.
While emphasizing the need for enhanced people-to-people contacts, he thanked China for facilitating the return of Pakistani students to resume their on-campus studies and expressed hope that the remaining students would be able to return soon.
The prime minister also appreciated the Chinese decision to the resumption of PIA flights to China and increase the frequency of weekly flights.
Exchanging views on international issues of mutual interest, the prime minister highlighted the adverse impact of India’s unabated repression and gross violations of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The prime minister praised China for taking a moral stand and providing unwavering support in the Jammu and Kashmir conflict.
The prime minister and Director Yang also discussed Afghanistan’s situation, including the current economic and humanitarian crises.
It was emphasized that in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and lessen the suffering of the Afghan people, there is a need for international cooperation and the unfreezing of assets.
The prime minister reiterated a warm invitation to President Xi Jinping and said that the people of Pakistan were eager to welcome him on his earliest possible subsequent state visit to Pakistan.
