Five-day visit: Shahbaz all praise for Chinese leadership

‘Work underway for shifting various industries to Pakistan’

LAHORE: Communist Party of China (CPC) leader Zheng Xiaosong hosted a dinner in the honour of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday following his arrival at Beijing for a five-day visit.

Speaking on the occasion, Sharif praised the CPC’s role in China’s economic development. He said the CPC leaders had shown to the world that no hurdle could stop a country’s development if work was carried out for the purpose with commitment, enthusiasm and perseverance. He said the CPC leadership deserved full credit for the popularity gained by China in the world community. He said consistency in government policies was the key to economic development in China.

Sharif said the Chinese leadership had expressed its full confidence in the Pakistan Muslim League-led federal government. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects were a proof of the deep bond between the people of the two countries.

The chief minister said political parties in Pakistan could learn a lot from the experiences of the CPC. “China has attained unprecedented progress under the talented CPC leadership,” he said. He said relations between the PML-N and the CPC were strengthening as the two countries were working closely on economic cooperation projects. He said exchange visits by party delegates would be helpful in this regard. He said cordial relations between the two parties would further consolidate the relations between the people of the two countries.

“China is a sincere and trusted friend of Pakistan. The people and government of Pakistan are proud of their friendship with China. CPC leader Zheng Xiaosong said work was underway on a project involving shifting to Pakistan various industries, particularly in the technology sector. He expressed satisfaction over arrangements put in place for the security of Chinese engineers and other workers employed for various projects in Pakistan. “China attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan. We appreciate Shahbaz Sharif’s vision for public service in the Punjab province,” he said.

During the five-day visit, the chief minister would meet senior government and CPC officials, delegations of Pakistani students and traders and Chinese investors, business and industry representatives. Earlier, speaking to the media before his departure at Lahore airport, Sharif said both countries had similar positions on most regional and international issues. He was seen off at the airport by Chinese Counsel General Yu Born.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 25^th, 2016.