Gwadar airport adds a feather to CPEC's cap

Chinese premier calls Pakistan bond 'eternal,' Shehbaz thanks Li for airport gift to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang termed the bond with Pakistan "eternal" as he along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport in a significant move to realise the true potential of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Pakistan rolled out a red carpet for Premier Li when he arrived in Islamabad on Monday afternoon at the Nur Khan Air Base. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior cabinet members and other officials were at the airbase to receive the Chinese prime minister.

Amid tight security in the federal capital, the Pakistani and Chinese prime ministers held delegation level talks, covering whole gamut of relationship, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), security, regional and international issues.

Following their talks, Li and Shehbaz virtually inaugurated the CPEC-built international airport in Gwadar - a coastal city housing a Chinese-controlled deep-water port on the Arabian Sea. In his remarks, Li termed the completion of the airport project a significant milestone under CPEC.

"Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the Pakistani leadership, our all-weather strategic cooperative partnership is constantly deepening. What we have is a unique and unbreakable iron-clad friendship that has stood the test of a changing international landscape," Li stated.

Addressing the ceremony, which was broadcast live, Premier Li further stated the completion of this critical infrastructure project of Gwadar Airport was a significant milestone in enhancing regional connectivity. He termed it a "world-class airport" that reflected the strength of the Pak-China friendship.

"The airport's completion will facilitate increased international trade and accelerate development in Pakistan's western regions, particularly Gwadar," he said, commending the efforts of both nations' workforces. He stressed that prosperity of Pakistan and its people was a priority for China.

"This airport is not just an infrastructure project; it is a symbol of the close cooperation between our countries. We are committed to working together for mutual development, and this partnership grows stronger with time," he said.

In his brief speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked the Chinese premier for building the airport as a gift to Pakistan. "I want to assure you that I will work with you very closely … to promote peace and security for the people of China in Pakistan," he added.

Shehbz said he and his Chinese counterpart held comprehensive discussions and witnessed the signing and exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries in various fields, including industry, commerce and agriculture.

"No doubt these MoUs will shape into agreements very soon through joint efforts. Once again, I thank you for your visit to Pakistan out of your busy schedule which is a reflection of your commitment to promoting friendship between the two countries," Shehbaz told Premier Li.

The 13 MoUs, agreements, and documents were exchanged at a ceremony held at the Prime Minister House. Both the prime ministers were present with their respective delegations on the occasion. The State Bank of Pakistan and the People's Bank of China signed a currency-swap agreement.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao exchanged documents related to the 'Smart Classrooms' project. At the ceremony, the minutes of the 13th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting of CPEC were also exchanged.

Iqbal also exchanged documents for the minutes of the 7th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Gwadar under CPEC, and an MoU for cooperation to promote employment under CPEC with Vice Chairman of China's National Development and Reform Commission Liu Susuo.

The MoUs for enhancing cooperation in the fields of information and communication and agreements on protection of water infrastructure, flood control, and disaster reduction were exchanged between Ahsan Iqbal and Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency Liu Zhaohui.

Iqbal and Liu signed a letter of exchange for a firefighting vehicle support programme in Islamabad. They also exchanged an MoU for cooperation in the security sector, besides the documents related to human resource development under the Global Development Initiative (GDI).

An agreement on quarantine requirements for the export of meat to China was signed by Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong. Another MoU for the joint support of laboratories was exchanged between Science and Technology Secretary Sajid Baloch and Ambassador Jiang. Additionally, yet another MoU for the joint production of television programmes was signed between Information Secretary Ambreen Jan and Ambassador Jiang.