Pakistan and China on Monday signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Islamabad, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The two leaders also virtually inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport, a key component of the multi-billion-dollar CPEC project.
"The completion of Gwadar Airport is an important milestone," Premier Li said during the signing ceremony for several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation.
He praised the collaborative efforts and dedication of both Pakistan and China in bringing the project to fruition.
According to Express News, Premier Li Qiang arrived at the Noor Khan Airbase on a four-day official visit. He was received with full honours, including a floral welcome and a 21-gun salute. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally greeted the Chinese premier, and later hosted him at the Prime Minister’s House for a luncheon in his honour.
At the Prime Minister's House, a formal welcome ceremony took place with the national anthems of both countries being played, followed by a guard of honour presented to Premier Li by Pakistan’s armed forces.
Prime Minister Shehbaz and his Chinese counterpart held delegation-level talks at the Prime Minister's House. The two leaders discussed a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, focusing on strengthening the Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership.
During the meeting, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the growing ties between the two countries, which they described as rooted in "mutual trust and shared principles." They reaffirmed their commitment to support each other on core issues and vowed to further enhance cooperation under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Premier Li and Prime Minister Shehbaz stressed the need for timely completion of ongoing projects, particularly those related to industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, information technology, and science and technology. They acknowledged that CPEC cooperation has entered a new phase of development, which will bring long-term benefits to Pakistan’s socio-economic growth.
Prime Minister Shehbaz assured Premier Li of Pakistan's "unwavering commitment" to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals and projects in the country. The leaders also discussed strategies to increase Chinese investment in Pakistan, including the relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan.
Both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all sectors. They also pledged to continue close consultations on regional and global issues at multilateral forums.
After bilateral talks between the delegations, Pakistan and China signed several MoUs across different sectors to enhance cooperation. These agreements are expected to deepen the longstanding relationship between the two nations, especially in trade, infrastructure, and development projects.
Premier Li Qiang expressed his optimism for the future of Pakistan-China relations, highlighting the enduring friendship between the two countries. “I am pleased to participate in the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting. I look forward to deeper exchanges between China and Pakistan through this visit. Pakistan remains committed to its reform and development efforts,” he stated, referring to Pakistan as China’s "iron brother."
According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, Premier Li's visit is in response to an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He will remain in Pakistan until October 17, accompanied by ministers from China’s foreign, trade, and national development ministries, as well as senior officials from China International Development Cooperation Agency. During the visit, Premier Li will also meet with President Asif Ali Zardari, parliamentary leaders, and senior military officials.
The discussions during the visit focus heavily on expanding cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and initiating the next phase of CPEC projects. According to sources, the agenda includes revisiting Pakistan's power sector debts and enhancing security for Chinese nationals working on CPEC projects.
Security for Chinese workers has become a key concern, particularly after the recent terrorist attack in Karachi, which targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers, leaving two dead and one injured. Despite this attack, China chose to proceed with Premier Li’s visit, signaling a strong commitment to the bilateral relationship. Diplomatic sources indicated that China may propose a joint security company to protect CPEC workers during the visit.
Premier Li’s visit follows the October 6 attack in Karachi, which raised concerns about the safety of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan. However, the decision to continue with the visit has been interpreted by diplomatic sources as a message to adversaries attempting to disrupt CPEC.
Premier Li’s visit is expected to culminate with the soft launch of the Gwadar International Airport, among other significant agreements.
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