- PM Shehbaz has left for China.
- PM Shehbaz is also accompanied by FM Bilawal.
- This is PM Shehbaz’s first visit as Prime Minister.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the revitalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be the focus of his conversations with officials in Beijing ahead of his first trip to China.
PM Shehbaz Sharif has traveled for China on a two-day official visit at the request of Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China’s State Council.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the high-level delegation includes Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari among others.
Before leaving for Beijing, the premier stated that he was honored to be among the first few leaders to be invited following the momentous 20th National Congress of the CPC.
He stated that the second phase of CPEC is projected to usher in a new era of socioeconomic development that will raise our people’s standard of living.
The premier also stated that there is much to be learned from China’s economic miracle.
At a time when the globe is confronted with numerous challenges,” he said, “Pakistan and China stand together as allies and partners.
This will be the prime minister’s first trip to China since taking office in April 2022, following his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan on September 16. In a statement, the spokeswoman stated.
According to the FO spokeswoman, the prime minister will be among the first leaders to visit Beijing following the historic 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
The visit is anticipated to advance the broad bilateral cooperation agenda after a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed at the 11th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee, the spokesman for the project said (JCC).
The prime minister’s visit reflects the continuation of Pakistan and China’s frequent leadership-level contacts. The prime minister will meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at the delegation level. The two sides will evaluate their all-weather strategic cooperation partnership and exchange perspectives on regional and global developments, according to the spokeswoman.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Meets With China’s Envoy
Before leaving, PM Shehbaz spoke with Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong in-depth about a variety of issues.
PM Office, the visit will further deepen commercial and economic ties. Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, also attended the meeting.
China Welcomes Prime Minister Shehbaz’s Visit
Shehbaz Sharif’s planned visit warmly welcomed by China, saying it looked forward to furthering high-level strategic cooperation between the two countries and delivering more good outcomes from Sino-Pak friendship to the benefit of the two peoples.
China warmly welcomes him and looks forward to expanding our high-level strategic cooperation and reaping more benefits from our friendship for the benefit of the two peoples Zhao Lijian, Spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated during a press conference held here at the International Press Center (IPC).
Zhao Lijian, no matter how the international or local events changed, China-Pakistan friendship had been passed down from generation to generation.
In the face of major natural calamities, our two countries have always stood together and aided each other, he continued.
He added that the Chinese side would like to take this opportunity to praise CPEC’s important achievements.
The spokesman, the CPEC has become a milestone of China-Pakistan cooperation as a flagship initiative of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) It has aided economic development, improved people’s livelihoods, and had a beneficial socioeconomic impact in Pakistan.
Zhao Lijian stated that the 11th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) had just concluded satisfactorily.
Ahsan Iqbal, A Chinese Diplomat, Discusses CPEC Projects
Earlier on October 26, the Chinese ambassador met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and discussed CPEC projects in preparation for PM Shehbaz’s planned visit to China.
Hour-long meeting focused on ongoing CPEC projects that will be addressed during Premier Shahbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China.
The minister emphasized the significance of several CPEP projects and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing CPEC projects.
The imminent visit of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif would be significant, especially at a time when President Xi Jinping of China has been elected [for] the third term as China’s leader, the minister said, emphasizing that the incumbent government has resurrected the CPEC.
Minister also emphasized the significance of the ML-1 project, the Karachi Circular Railways, and a number of other initiatives in energy, information technology, agriculture, culture, and other fields.
CPEC projects will have a significant impact on Pakistan’s economy, and we are committed to completing the project on time, said the minister, assuring the Chinese envoy that the government is committed to completing the CPEC projects on time and that self-reliance in the energy sector will stabilize the economy.
Iqbal stated that the prosperity of Balochistan is linked to the development of Gwadar, and that the current government will complete all CPEC projects in Gwadar.
The Chinese ambassador praised the government’s efforts, particularly those of the Minister of Planning and Development, and promised him of his full support.
