Islamabad (TDI): China’s Premier Li Qiang has urged Pakistan to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects operating within the country, emphasizing the need for a conducive and secure environment for Chinese companies.
The remarks came during a high-level meeting between Premier Li and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday.
During the discussion, Premier Li stressed the importance of safeguarding Chinese interests in Pakistan, which have been a critical part of the broader China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the Belt and Road Initiative.
“It is hoped that Pakistan will continue to provide a good business environment for Chinese companies and try its best to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Pakistan,” Li noted.
He further highlighted China’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, expressing China’s readiness to deepen counterterrorism cooperation and assist Pakistan in building its capacity to effectively combat extremist threats.
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China’s concern stems from several high-profile attacks in recent years targeting Chinese nationals and CPEC-related infrastructure.
Given the scale of Chinese investments in Pakistan, especially in energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors, ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel has become a top priority for Beijing.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in response, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting Chinese nationals and securing their projects.
He assured Premier Li that the Pakistani government is fully committed to hunting down perpetrators of terrorism and implementing stringent measures to enhance the security framework.
“The safety of our Chinese friends is of paramount importance, and the government will spare no effort in fighting terrorism to ensure that Chinese personnel and projects are fully protected,” Shehbaz said.
The Pakistani prime minister also highlighted the close bilateral ties between the two nations, referring to China as Pakistan’s “all-weather friend.”
He acknowledged the critical role Chinese investments play in Pakistan’s economic development and pledged to maintain a secure business environment to ensure the smooth execution of joint projects under CPEC.
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The meeting between the two leaders underscores the increasing security concerns surrounding Chinese investments in Pakistan, particularly in light of recent terror incidents.
Both countries are looking to strengthen cooperation, not only economically but also in terms of security, to safeguard their shared interests in the region.
