PM Imran departs for four-day visit to China

Premier to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, among other officials; to discuss bilateral issues including CPEC

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan departed on Thursday for a four-day visit to China with a delegation of ministers accompanying him.

According to sources, the premier is set to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, hold meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and with those interested in investing in Pakistan. He will also meet investor delegations.

Imran is accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Finance Shaukat Tarin, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, National Security Adviser Moeed Yousuf, Adviser for Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production Abdul Razzaq Dawood and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Affairs Khalid Mansoor.

Officials said the visit was primarily aimed at sending a message to China’s adversaries that Pakistan stood behind its “all-weather and time-tested friend”.

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However, the visit, which is not officially a bilateral one, is also being used as an opportunity by Islamabad to discuss some pressing bilateral issues, including CPEC.

PM Imran’s visit to China is likely to help enhance investment in the power sector, revive Pakistan Steel Mills and accelerate the relocation of industries to the Special Economic Zones under CPEC.

The visit would seek $3 billion in loan to stabilise Pakistan’s dwindling foreign currency reserves and boost investment in various sectors of the economy. The premier may also ask his Chinese counterpart to roll over the loans taken by Pakistan for different projects including the energy sector under CPEC.

The Pakistani government has already settled its issues with the independent power producers by reducing the rate of return.