An agreement was also signed in Beijing for setting up an industrial park. Under the agreement, Chinese investors and industrialists will construct the industrial park in Chunian Industrial Estate in the Punjab. The project will cost Rs20 billion. PHOTO: INP
The two leaders agreed to take steps to enhance contacts between the Communist Party of China and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Gaoli said that there was a need to explore new avenues for strengthening contacts between the two political parties. “China is fully aware of the importance of the Punjab with regard to economic cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
Gaoli expressed good wishes for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and said that the entire Chinese leadership was praying for his early recovery. Shahbaz Sharif said that the Communist Party of China had full support of the people. “Socialist ideology and the force of the great historical heritage of China are behind the unprecedented progress made by the country,” he said.
He said that necessary measures were being taken to ensure the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan. “On the 65th anniversary of Pakistan-China relationship, there is a need to renew the pledge that cooperation between the two countries will be fully utilised for the welfare and prosperity of the masses,” he said.
CM meets head of Exim Bank: The chief minister met Exim Bank of China Chairperson Madam Hu Xiaolian in Beijing. The chairperson praised the speedy implementation of projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. She said that term ‘Shenzhen Speed’ was used for speedy completion of projects in China. “But now the term ‘Punjab Speed’ is used in China to denote rapid execution of projects. Chinese investment in Pakistan will increase in the days to come. A number of projects are being completed in the Punjab with investment of billions of dollars by Exim Bank,” she said.
The chief minister said Pakistan-China friendship was based on honesty, trust and transparency. “Chinese financial institutions are playing a historic role in the promotion of Pakistan-China cooperation through timely and uninterrupted completion of projects in the Punjab,” he said.
He thanked the Exim Bank for timely provision of funds for the Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project.
Communist Party minister: The chief minister met Minister for International Department of Communist Party of China, Song Tao in Beijing. Tao said that relations between Communist Party of China and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had strengthened in the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. “Exchange of delegations at party-level with Pakistan will be welcomed. It is our desire that youth delegations of the party should be sent to China,” he said.
He said China would stand by Pakistan in its hour of need. Shahbaz Sharif said that the Communist Party, the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang had played a key role in making China the second biggest economic power of the world. “The progress made by China is the result of hard work and sacrifices of Chinese leadership and people,” he said.
He said that 70 Pakistani students were learning Chinese language in China and more youth delegations would be sent soon. “Pakistani people, government and the army are on the same page on terrorism. Terrorists are a common enemy of China and Pakistan,” he said. The chief minister also delivered letters from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed to the president and prime minister of China.
An agreement was also signed in Beijing for setting up an industrial park. Under the agreement, Chinese investors and industrialists will construct the industrial park in Chunian Industrial Estate in the Punjab. The project will cost Rs20 billion.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2016.
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