During a meeting with Yang Jiechi, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of its Foreign Affairs Commission, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the growing economic linkages between the two countries had deepened the roots of the abiding friendship between the peoples of Pakistan and China.
At the meeting, the prime minister said that Pakistan is ready to work closely with China to achieve both countries’ shared vision of connectivity, prosperity and public well-being.
He added that Pakistan will continue to support Chinese investors with competitive incentives, access to high-quality infrastructure and secure arrangements.
Director Yang Jiechi was accompanied by Vice Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Commerce, Vice Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and Deputy Secretary General of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
The prime minister underscored the importance of Director Yang’s visit for accelerating the implementation of the leaders’ consensus on further enhancing bilateral relations across all domains.
He highlighted that economic cooperation had become a mainstay of the wide-ranging Pakistan-China partnership.
He expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral trade and financial linkages, noting that China’s unstinting support has played an invaluable role in helping Pakistan offset external shocks to the global economy and demonstrating the continued resilience of Pakistan-China cooperation at a time of heightened uncertainty on the world stage.
The prime minister particularly thanked China for the renewal of the RMB 15 billion (US $ 2.3 billion) syndicate facility.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to China for its support in Pakistan’s efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, including by providing millions of vaccine doses and protective and medical equipment.
He welcomed the recent visit of the tri-services delegation to China, led by the Chief of Army Staff, and noted the expanding defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China, which is contributing to regional peace and stability.
