PM Shehbaz, Chinese Premier Li Qiang express continued commitment & support for the high-quality development of CPEC

BEIJING, June 07 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Great Hall of the People on Friday. The Prime Minister was accompanied by key members of his cabinet.

A welcome ceremony was arranged in honour of the Prime Minister on arrival at the Great Hall of the People.

During the talks, the two leaders discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, and discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest. They noted that Pakistan-China All- Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership was characterized by mutual trust, shared principles and strategic convergence. Premier Li congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan election as non-permanent member of UN Security Council.

The two leaders reaffirmed the unwavering support to each other on core issues and expressed continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). They also emphasized timely completion of all ongoing projects with special focus on industrial development, agriculture modernization, Science & Technology and development of Special Economic Zones for mutually beneficial and socio-economic development of Pakistan.

The two sides discussed the significance of Gwadar as an important pillar of CPEC and agreed to expedite the timely completion of all related infrastructure projects to transform Gwadar into a regional economic hub. They also expressed their firm commitment to protect CPEC from its detractors and adversaries and to upgrade CPEC in the form of enhanced cooperation. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.

The two sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges including strengthening institutional linkages at all tiers and in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. Pakistan and China will also continue to consult closely on issues of regional and global significance and multilateral fora especially during the two-year tenure of Pakistan as non-member of UN Security Council.

The delegation level talks were followed by an MoU signing ceremony, witnessed by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Premier Li Qiang, where both signed 23 MoUs and agreements deepening cooperation in transport infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, health, water, socio-economic development and others of mutual interest.

The meeting was followed by an official banquet hosted by Premier Li Qiang in honour of the Prime Minister.