As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang, Pakistan and China pledged to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( CPEC ) from its “detractors and adversaries.” Beijing was also assured that Beijing would provide complete security to Chinese personnel working on the USD 65 billion project. At the request of President Xi Jinping, Sharif is currently traveling to China to improve cooperation under the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ( CPEC ), a crucial component of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office stated in a statement that the two parties discussed the significance of Gwadar as a crucial component of the CPEC and agreed to finish all related infrastructure projects as quickly as possible to make Gwadar in Balochistan province a local economic hotspot.
They also pledged their full support for CPEC’s protection from its critics and adversaries and for improved participation, according to the statement.
The two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for one another on crucial issues, and they continue to work together and help the CPEC’s high-quality development, according to Geo News.
They also put a focus on the fast completion of all continuous projects, with particular attention given to industrial development, agricultural modernization, science and technology, and the creation of special economic zones for Pakistan’s mutually beneficial and socio-economic development.
Sharif even reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Chinese projects and employees.
Since 2013, Chinese investment and financial support have been crucial for the struggling South Asian nation’s economy, including the rolling over of loans, enabling Islamabad to fulfill its need for additional funding at a time when international reserves are severely reduced.
In Pakistan, China has also made billions of dollars through the$ 65 billion CPEC program, but the progress of these jobs has slowed in recent months.
The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan with China’s Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI ). With infrastructure projects that are funded by Chinese assets around the world, China appears to be trying to expand its influence internationally.
The ongoing attacks by militant parties in Pakistan on Chinese officers have become a major priority for China.
Five Foreign and one Muslim national were killed in a terrorist attack on their Dasu Hydropower Project aircraft in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in March.
The two leaders spoke about the full breadth of diplomatic relations during the discussions as well as regional and global developments of common interest.
They noted that the Pakistan-China All-Women Strategic Cooperative Partnership had a mutually beneficial reputation and shared values and was characterized by joint confidence. Premier Li praised Pakistan’s acceptance as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The two parties agreed to continue high-level exchanges, as well as strengthening administrative collaboration at all levels and in all areas of diplomatic participation. Pakistan and China may also keep in touch with one another about issues of regional and global value and international forums, particularly during the two-year tenure of Pakistan as a non-member of the UNSC.
Following the delegation-level discussions, an MoU filing ceremony took place. Both signed 23 MoUs and agreements deepening participation in transport infrastructure, business, energy, agriculture, media, health, water, socio- socioeconomic development and others of common interest.
