ISLAMABAD: Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday virtually inaugurated the newly built Gwadar International Airport as part of the multi-billion dollar CPEC project.
Chinese dignitary landed in Islamabad on a four-day official visit earlier today ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
“The completion of Gwadar airport is an important milestone,” he said on the occasion. He also praised the efforts of Pakistan and China to complete the project.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and China have signed 13 key agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including security, education, agriculture, human resource development, and science and technology.
The agreements were finalized during high-level delegation talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, where they explored comprehensive aspects of Pakistan-China relations, with a focus on economic ties and collaboration under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Premier Li was warmly received upon his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House, where he was honored with a ceremonial guard of honor before the discussions began.
The signing ceremony witnessed both prime ministers and their respective delegations as key documents were inked. Notable among these was a Handing Over Certificate for the Smart Classrooms Project, signed by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. This initiative aims to enhance the educational infrastructure in Pakistan.
Additionally, the two sides finalized the minutes from the 13th meeting of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee and the 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar, underscoring their commitment to ongoing development projects. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in the Livelihood Working Group of CPEC was also signed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Lou Zhaohui, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
Both nations agreed to bolster collaboration in several critical areas, including “Information and Communication,” “Water Conservancy Facilities, Flood Control, and Disaster Reduction,” and “Security.” These MoUs were signed by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Luo Zhaohui.
Further expanding their partnership, Cheema and Luo also signed Letters of Exchange focusing on “Human Resource Development under the GDI” and an “Assistance Program for Fire Fighting Vehicles to Islamabad.”
The agreements also encompassed a commitment to joint laboratory support, with Sajid Baloch, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong signing the related document. Additionally, the two countries agreed to collaborate on the “Co-production of TV Programs,” aimed at enhancing cultural exchange.
Finally, the agreements included a Currency Swap Agreement and a Protocol on Quarantine Requirements for the export of donkey meat to China, reflecting the diverse nature of the partnership.
These accords represent a pivotal moment in Pakistan-China relations, reinforcing their commitment to mutual growth and cooperation across various sectors.
