ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and Beijing expressed mutual satisfaction with their strategic cooperative partnership, founded on trust and shared principles, during a delegation-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Islamabad on Monday.
Both leaders noted that their partnership is continuously strengthening and discussed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, along with matters of mutual, regional, and international significance.
They reaffirmed support for each other on core issues and committed to the high-quality development of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The leaders emphasized the importance of completing ongoing projects across various sectors, including industry, agricultural modernization, information technology, and science and technology, to foster mutual benefits and enhance Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured Premier Li of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the safety of Chinese nationals and projects within the country.
The discussion also included plans for high-level exchanges to further strengthen cooperation in all bilateral areas. Both leaders addressed the relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan and explored strategies to boost Chinese investment in the country.
It was agreed that Pakistan and China would continue close consultations at multilateral forums and on issues of regional and global importance, reinforcing their commitment to collaboration.
Before the meeting, Pakistan and China signed 13 significant agreements aimed at bolstering bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including security, education, agriculture, human resource development, and science and technology.
The signing ceremony, attended by both prime ministers and their delegations, featured several key documents, including a Handing Over Certificate for the Smart Classrooms Project, signed by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, which seeks to enhance Pakistan’s educational infrastructure.
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, reaffirming 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 strengthen collaboration in key areas such as Information and Communication, Water Conservancy, Flood Control, and Disaster Reduction. These MoUs were signed by Economic Affairs Minister Cheema and Luo Zhaohui. Further expanding their partnership, Cheema and Luo also signed Letters of Exchange focused on Human Resource Development and an Assistance Program for Fire Fighting Vehicles to Islamabad.
The agreements also included commitments to joint laboratory support, signed by Sajid Baloch, Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong. Additionally, both countries agreed to collaborate on the Co-production of TV Programs to enhance cultural exchange.
Notably, the agreements encompassed a Currency Swap Agreement and a Protocol on Quarantine Requirements for the export of donkey meat to China, highlighting the diverse nature of their partnership.
These accords signify a pivotal moment in Pakistan-China relations, reinforcing their commitment to mutual growth and cooperation across various sectors.
