Pakistan and China on Monday, expressing satisfaction at the steady development of the CPEC projects in Pakistan, agreed on its centrality for Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
Bilateral ties, including the CPEC, were discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and He Lifeng, the vice premier of China and Member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
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At the invitation of the Pakistan government, He Lifeng is visiting to attend the 10th anniversary celebrations of the CPEC.
Both sides expressed their firm commitment to continue working together for realizing the shared objectives of the CPEC.
It was also agreed that the 10th anniversary of CPEC celebrations constituted a fresh starting point to further expand the project as envisaged by the leadership of the two countries.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on several aspects of bilateral relationship, including CPEC and bilateral economic and financial cooperation.
Welcoming Vice-Premier He Lifeng to Pakistan, the prime minister congratulated him on being promoted as the vice premier of China in March this year.
Appreciating China’s support for Pakistan’s economic development, the prime minister observed that as strategic partners and trusted friends, the two countries have always stood by each other in difficult times, as evidenced by Chinese support to Pakistan in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic and devastating floods in Pakistan.
Noting the unanimity of views between the two countries on regional issues, both leaders reiterated their resolve to support each other on all issues of their core interests.
In his remarks, Vice Premier Lifeng conveyed President Xi Jinping’s message of China’s firm support to Pakistan’s prosperity and development.
He also underlined that the Pakistan-China friendship was unique and had withstood the vicissitude of time due to deep fraternal ties between the peoples of two nations.
He reiterated that as an iron brother and strategic partner, China would continue its existing economic and financial support to Pakistan.
Welcoming the prime minister’s vision for deepening trade and investment ties with Pakistan, the Chinese vice premier conveyed his country’s willingness to enhance Pakistan’s agro and food exports to China.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif and Vice Premier He oversaw the ceremony for signing of agreements, MoUs and other documents covering areas, including agriculture; industrial cooperation; transport connectivity, etc.
Later, the PM hosted a luncheon in honour of He Lifeng and the accompanying delegation.
Chinese VP welcomed by PM
Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng was accorded a warm welcome on Monday as he reached the Prime Minister’s House for talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
On his arrival, Prime Minister Sharif received the foreign dignitary at the main entrance of the PM House.
The visiting dignitary is on a three-day visit to Pakistan.
Later, the premier introduced his delegation to the Chinese vice-premier comprising federal cabinet members Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Ahsan Iqbal, Saad Rafiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Hina Rabbani Khar and Tariq Fatemi.
The Chinese vice premier also introduced his delegation to the prime minister.
