News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of China, Li Keqiang have agreed to continue the steady momentum of bilateral cooperation in 2023.
Both leaders were exchanging these views via a comprehensive telephone call on Thursday. Both the leaders had a warm and cordial discussion keeping in view the best historical traditions of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
They also exchanged New Year greetings and were relieved to have successful bilateral relations being grown to new heights in 2022.
Recalling his last visit to China in November 2022, with detailed conversations with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li, the Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to nurturing closer relations with China, and reiterated Pakistan’s open-handed support of China’s core interests. They also discussed issues of regional and mutual interest.
CPEC and other bilateral issues
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s reliable focus on the timely progress of CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) projects and assured the Chinese Prime Minister that Pakistan would provide a completely sound and favorable business environment for Chinese investors.
Prime Minister Li Keqiang assured his counterpart that China viewed Pakistan not just as a strategic partner but as a country whose stability and economic well-being was of utmost importance to the region and to China. He added China would always stand in solidarity with Pakistan.
Talking about the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan to be held in Geneva on 9 January, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed Premier Li on the updated rehabilitation progress in post-flood rehabilitation and post-flood reconstruction in Pakistan and informed about Pakistan’s intense gratitude for China’s prompt and generous assistance for the flood-affected people.
Prime Minister Li assured the Prime Minister of China’s continued assistance for Pakistan’s reconstruction efforts and the success of the meet. Both PMs agreed to maintain close communication to expedite the bilateral cooperation agenda for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Pakistan and China in 2023 and beyond.
