Tazeen Akhtar / Islamabad
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived Beijing on his first visit to friendly China as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.He has been there several times as CM Punjab earlier. PM Shehbaz shared on twitter that the revitalization of China Pakistan Economic Corridor is the focus of his visit on the invitation of Chinese counterpart Mr. Li Keqiang.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian has said, ” We warmly welcome the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China. During the visit, China and Pakistan will sign a series of outcome documents.
Observers believe the visit of PM Shehbaz will inject new momentum to China-Pakistan ties and push flagship CPEC to a new phase that focuses on projects such as energy and IT.
PM will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.PM Shehbaz is also scheduled to meet Chinese investors and Pakistani businessmen. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Railways Minister Saad Rafique and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah are part of the delegation accompanying the premier.
Shehbaz Sharif tweeted on departure from Islamabad : “Honoured to be among the first few leaders to have been invited after the historic 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. At a time when the world is grappling with multiple challenges, Pakistan and China stand together as friends and partners. My discussions with the Chinese leadership would focus on the “revitalization of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) among many other things”.
PM Shehbaz looks forward that the second phase of CPEC promises to usher in a new era of socio-economic progress that will uplift quality of our people’s lives. There is a lot to learn from Chinese economic miracle.
The visit is also expected to advance the wide-ranging bilateral cooperation agenda with the conclusion of a number of MoUs/agreements in diverse areas, and consolidate the momentum of CPEC cooperation in the wake of the 11th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee on Oct 27.
Prime Minister has attached great importance with the visit expressing hopes to expand trade and investment ties by making optimal use of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.PM wrote in an opinion article published in Chinese newspaper Global Times on Sunday, “Pakistan can serve as the manufacturing base for China and an extension of its industrial and supply chain network .
He further noted, “The two countries could fast-track bilateral cooperation to boost corporate farming, efficient water usage, development of hybrid seeds and high yield crops and establish cold storage chains. This cooperation has assumed an added importance to address common concerns related to food security.”
He said,” CPEC’s next phase would encompass key areas such as industry, energy, agriculture, ICT, rail and road network and developing Gwadar port as a hub of trade and transhipment, investment and regional connectivity.Our overall aim is to harness the potential of CPEC for Pakistan’s inclusive and sustainable growth, socioeconomic development and for improving the livelihoods of our people.”
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a video message shared, “the new CPEC era is about to begin. The PM’s visit to China will be an extremely important one.it will set a new milestone for the CPEC. Several CPEC projects were delayed during the previous government’s tenure, that had now been revived by the incumbent prime minister. All administrative and procedural obstacles had been removed from the projects.”
She said in her tweet, “PM Shehbaz Sharif visit to China as first foreign dignitary after 20th CPC is reflective of earnest desire of both countries to progressively advance all-weather strategic partnership to zenith of inter-state relations.”
