PM Imran rounds off China visit with a raft of accords

Two countries sign Second Phase of FTA, ML-1 railway-line agreements

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the last day of his four-day official visit.

Prior to his meeting with President Xi, the prime minister and his delegation met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and discussed bilateral issues and regional matters. Delegation-level talks were held with both Chinese leaders.

Reaffirming the ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ between Pakistan and China, the two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.

They affirmed the resolve to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership in all fields -- including political, security, economic and trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Imran conveyed Pakistan’s unflinching commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the two sides discussed the mega infrastructure project’s extension into new areas of agriculture, industrial development, and socio-economic uplift.

He said Pakistan would always extend support to China on all issues of its core interest. PM Imran thanked President Xi for the welcome accorded to the Pakistani delegation and for China’s steadfast support to Pakistan on all issues.

President Xi also reiterated China’s unwavering support to Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and appreciated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government’s agenda for socio-economic development and people-centered progress.

"Pakistan is China's all-weather strategic cooperative partner. China and Pakistan are 'iron friends' and have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests," Xi said, adding that China takes Pakistan as a priority in its diplomacy.

No matter how international and regional situations change, China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and national dignity, choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, combating terrorist and extremist forces, striving for a sound external security environment, and playing a constructive role in international and regional affairs, Xi said.

Major progress has been made in bilateral cooperation in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, finance, trade and other aspects, Xi said.

"In the next stage, China and Pakistan should make more efforts to advance the all-weather strategic cooperation," Xi said, calling on both sides to deepen high-level contacts and mutual support, strengthen strategic communication, and promote high-quality cooperation in production capacity, infrastructure construction, people's livelihood and trade within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has played an important role in Pakistan's economic development and the improvement of people's lives, Imran said, believing more and more countries will support and participate in the cooperation under the BRI.

Pakistan is willing to consolidate its traditional friendship with China, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and enhance communication and coordination with China in multilateral affairs, said the prime minister.

The two sides also exchanged views on the situations in South Asia. Xi expressed the hope that Pakistan and India can meet each other halfway and promote the stabilisation and improvement of Pakistan-India relations.



In his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China is willing to work with Pakistan to intensify high-level contacts, deepen pragmatic cooperation, align the Belt and Road Initiative with Pakistan's development strategy, and jointly build a closer China-Pakistan community with shared future.

China will further promote the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy, environmental protection, industries and people's livelihood, Li said.

China stands ready to enhance coordination with Pakistan in international and regional affairs to safeguard their shared interests and also that of other developing countries, said the Chinese premier.

Pakistan is willing to work with China to expand cooperation of special economic zones under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework, strengthen cooperation in green development and environmental protection, and intensify communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, PM Imran said, refuting the accusation that China has let Pakistan fall into debt trap.

The two prime ministers also witnessed the signing ceremony at which the Second Phase of the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement was signed.



The MoUs/Agreements signed/exchanged on the occasion included: i) Second Phase of China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, ii) Declaration for Completion of Preliminary Design of Phase-I for Up-gradation of ML-1 and Establishment of Havelian Dry Port under CPEC, iii) MoU on cooperation in the field of Marine Sciences between the China Geological Survey (CGS), Ministry of Natural Resources of China, the Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Science and Technology, iv) MoU between CIDCA and Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform on Implementation of the Projects under JWG of CPEC on Socioeconomic Development, v) China-Pakistan Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement, vi) Rashakai SEZ Joint Venture and License Agreement between KPEZMDC and CRBC. Agencies

 

With additional input from News Desk