PM stresses need to leverage sister-city relationships of Xi’an with Lahore, Multan

XI’AN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday underlined the need to leverage sister-city relationships of Xi’an with Lahore and Multan through practical cooperation at city-to-city level to promote bilateral cooperation in trade, technology, agriculture, and tourism.

The prime minister, along with his delegation, met Party Secretary of Shaanxi province Zhao Yide.

In the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz and Party Secretary Zhao discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade, technology, agricultural and cultural exchanges, the official news agency reported.

They reaffirmed commitment to further deepen Pakistan-China strategic cooperation, including through promotion of B2B linkages and cultural exchanges.

They agreed to strengthen local and provincial level cooperative partnerships between Pakistan and China for mutual prosperity.

Underscoring Xi’an’s historical significance as a centre of cultural and economic exchanges between the East and the West in the Ancient Silk Road, the prime minister emphasised continued collaboration between Pakistan and Shaanxi province in people-to-people exchanges – particularly in the culture, tourism and education domains.

The prime minister said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was growing from strength to strength with a focus on high quality development in the second phase. The two sides agreed to strengthen economic cooperation through joint ventures in agriculture, bio-pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing, mining, chemicals and textiles sectors.

Secretary Zhao briefed the prime minister on the historical significance of Shaanxi province and provided an overview of Shaanxi’s economic and social development, highlighting its status as one of the fastest growing regions of China.

The prime minister said that China’s phenomenal development and support to the developing countries was an inspiration for Pakistan. He invited the state owned and private enterprises from Shaanxi province to benefit from the investor friendly policy framework and regulatory measures in Pakistan.

He thanked the leadership of the Shaanxi province and the Xi’an city for facilitating Pakistani citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic.