Beijing, 2 November 2022 (TDI): Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, congratulated President of China, Xi Jinping, on his re-election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China’s 20th Central Committee.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan is on his historic visit to China, where he met the Chinese President in the Great Hall of the People Government office in Beijing, China, to discuss bilateral cooperation on November 2nd, 2022.
During their meeting, Prime Minister Shahbaz praised Xi Jinping for China’s essential aid to Pakistan’s relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the country’s devastation caused by catastrophic floods.
The two presidents discussed bilateral relations between Pakistan and China, as well as regional and global issues of mutual importance.
They reiterated their commitment to the long-standing All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.
The two countries have collaborated relentlessly to achieve their common goal of peace, stability, progress, and prosperity.
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Reiterating Pakistan’s unique historic relations with China and the importance of bilateral relationship for regional peace and stability, Shahbaz Sharif stated emphatically that Pakistan-China friendship had broad consensus across Pakistan’s political spectrum and was a model of inter-state relations.
The Prime Minister praised President Xi’s leadership for China’s success and his vision for strengthening bilateral relations, saying that Pakistan drew inspiration from China’s socioeconomic development and national resolve to the country’s progress and prosperity.
Defense, commerce and investment, agriculture, health, education, green energy, science and technology, and disaster preparedness were among the topics discussed by the two leaders.
They reaffirmed their shared commitment to CPEC, emphasizing that CPEC’s high-quality development would further improve Pakistan-China ties.
In this context, the two leaders agreed that, as a strategic project, both sides will collaborate to launch ML-1 as an early harvest project under the CPEC framework.
Also Read: Pakistan-China friendship: a sacred tale of abiding trust and love
They also agreed to fulfil all paperwork for the early opening of the Karachi Circular Railway, recognizing the need for a mass-transit project in Karachi.
During the visit, they also appreciated the signing of a number of agreements covering a wide area of bilateral cooperation.
President Xi Jinping told Pakistan that China would continue to promote its sustainable economic growth and utilise its potential as a geo-economic hub.
He also offered an additional RMB 500 million support package for Pakistan’s post-flood relief and recovery efforts.
The two presidents discussed the international environment’s rapid transition, which has exacerbated economic issues for developing countries.
Both sides reaffirmed their common belief in the need of communication and collaboration based on equality and mutual benefit for world peace and development.
The two states agreed that modern concerns such as climate change, pandemics, and growing inequality required unequivocal cooperation among states in conformity with the UN Charter’s aims and principles. There was complete unanimity of views between the two leaders.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping also discussed regional matters, especially the situation in IIOJK and Afghanistan.
Both leaders agreed that extending CPEC to Afghanistan will improve regional connectivity projects and that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would promote regional security and economic development.
The Prime Minister also offered a cordial invitation to President Xi to visit Pakistan soon, which he warmly accepted.
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