BEIJING: Pakistan and China on Friday expressed their firm commitment to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) from its detractors and adversaries, ensure the timely completion of all ongoing projects, and support the high-quality CPEC development.
The bilateral ties 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. The prime minister was accompanied by key members of his cabinet.
A welcome ceremony was arranged in honour of the prime minister on his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, the official news agency reported.
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 was characterised 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 unwavering support for each other on core issues and expressed continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of CPEC.
They also emphasised the timely completion of all ongoing projects with a special focus on industrial development, agriculture modernisation, science and technology, and development of Special Economic Zones for mutually beneficial and socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The two sides discussed the significance of Gwadar as an important pillar of CPEC 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 commitment to protect CPEC from its detractors and adversaries and to upgrade CPEC in the form of enhanced cooperation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.
The two sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges including strengthening institutional linkages at all tiers and in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. Pakistan and China will also continue to consult closely on issues of regional and global significance and multilateral fora, especially during the two-year tenure of Pakistan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Later, Pakistan and China signed 23 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements to deepen bilateral cooperation in multiple areas including transport infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, health, water, socioeconomic development, and other areas of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz and Chinese Premier Li witnessed the ceremony as representatives from both sides signed the documents.
Pakistan and China signed agreements for the co-production of films, and news exchange and cooperation. The MoUs were signed between Pakistan Television Corporation and China Media Group; on the feasibility studies of Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob National Highway 50, Muzaffarabad-Mirpur-Mangla Expressway and Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway 9; and construction of a tunnel at Babusar on Mansehra-Chilas National Highway.
Both sides signed a document on modalities for third party participation in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor; MoUs on re-alignment of KKH, agricultural cooperation, and anti-monopoly cooperation; an action plan on implementation of 2022 Industrial Cooperation Framework; a protocol on surveying, mapping and geo-information in scientific and technical fields; and a study on the establishment of an effective energy management system.
The two countries signed letters of intent for workshops on capacity building on governance, and industrial park development; and handing over certificate for Pak-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar and desalination plant in Gwadar.
Both sides also signed letters of exchange for the reconstruction of primary schools in Sindh; the Lady Health Workers Workstations project; and Junaco Cultivation Demonstration and Projection project; besides an endorsement of the agreement reached in the 7th Joint Working Group to enhance cooperation under CPEC.
The meeting was followed by an official banquet hosted by Premier Li Qiang in honour of the prime minister.
