Nawaz Sharif, Li Keqiang agree to further strengthen ties in diverse fields
ZHENGZHOU (China), Dec. 15 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad
Nawaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on Tuesday
agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in diverse
fields, particularly in economy and energy sectors.
Both leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional
situation as they met on the sidelines of 14th SCO Heads of
Government meeting here.
Implementation on Economic Corridor Project and energy
and infrastructure development projects in Pakistan also
featured during the meeting.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Minister
for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and Special
Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were also present
on the occasion.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Chinese Premier on
the successful holding of the 14th SCO Heads of Government
meeting.
He felicitated the Chinese leadership and the Communist
Party for approval of Yuan by International Monetary Fund (IMF)
as Global Reserve Currency and said it was an important milestone
in the integration of the Chinese economy into the global
financial system and recognition of China as a major financial
power.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan and China are celebrating the
Year of Friendly Exchanges and next year would be marking 65th
anniversary of diplomatic relations.
“We should tap this opportunity to further promote
people-to-people contacts,” he added.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressed the
satisfaction with progress on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
Project and said Pakistan wanted that all the projects under
the CPEC, be implemented in a timely and efficient manner.
He said the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor Project
would prove a game-changer in the region.
He said Pakistan considers friendship with China as
central pillar of its foreign policy.
He said that cooperation between Pakistan and China was
reflection of close friendship between the two countries and
the new projects would change to destiny of people of the
region. It will create new opportunities for employment and
end poverty, he added.
Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan would like Chinese side to
allow Pakistan to open a trade cum visa office in Urumqi
to facilitate the CPEC projects implementation and people
to people exchanges.
He said the progress achieved by handing-taking over
of Gwadar Port Free Zone is a good beginning for initiating
the process for building the economic zone.
The Prime Minister informed his Chinese counterpart that
the operation Zarb-e-Azb in FATA and National Action Plan in
the country are being successfully implemented.
He assured his counterpart of the security for Chinese
workers and for this purpose a Special Security Division
had been set up while Gwadar security force has already
been mobilized under the command of a Brigadier.
Both leaders also discussed the Afghan reconciliation
process and the recently held Heart of Asia Conference in
Islamabad in which a Steering Committee comprising Pakistan,
Afghanistan, China and US was set up which will supervise the
process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and
coordinated efforts in this regard.
The Prime Minister also apprised the Chinese Premier
of his recent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi in
Paris and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit
to Islamabad and said it has yielded encouraging results.
He said both the countries have agreed to resume the
comprehensive bilateral dialogue process, which is a
welcome sign and development.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan and China
are celebrating ‘the year of friendly exchanges’ and next
year will be the 65th anniversary of the establishment of
bilateral diplomatic relations.
He said both the countries wanted to further promote
people-to-people contacts.
The Prime Minister thanked China’s support for Pakistan
being accepted as full member of the SCO.
The Chinese Prime Minister on the occasion said that
the relationship between Pakistan and China is deep-rooted
between the two peoples.
He said that China supports a strong and stable
Pakistan and desires for a much more strong relationship
in the future.
Prime Minister Sharif invited the Chinese Premier to
visit Pakistan, which he graciously accepted. The dates
for which would be mutually finalized.
Later, the Prime Minister departed for Islamabad after
concluding his two-day visit to China.