Pakistan, China agree to expand cooperation on CPEC

 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday held a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping which focused on increasing multilateral cooperation between both countries especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Premier Li Keqiang invited PM Shehbaz to come on a two-day official visit with a high-level delegation. The primary goal of the meeting was to revive the CPEC project.

The two presidents met at China's Great Hall of the People, where they discussed broadening economic and investment ties.

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Both the leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments. They also held discussions to further strengthen the strategic partnership between both countries. 

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Before departing for Beijing on November 1, the premier said that he was "honored to be among the first few leaders to have been invited after the historic 20th National Congress of the CPC".

He stated that it is expected that the second phase of CPEC will usher in a new era of socioeconomic development that will raise the standard of living for our people.

The premier added that the Chinese economic miracle offers many advantages.

"At a time when the world is grappling with multiple challenges, Pakistan and China stand together as friends and partners," he said.

A day before the visit, China expressed its warm welcome for the PM and expressed its willingness to advance high-level strategic cooperation between the two nations and generate more positive consequences from Sino-Pak friendship for the benefit of the two peoples.

Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that despite changes in domestic or international circumstances, the relationship between China and Pakistan has endured through the years.

"Our two countries have always supported each other on issues concerning respective major interests and have stood together and helped each other in the face of major natural disasters," he added.