Islamabad, Beijing ink six MoUs & accords to promote ties

PM believes in emulating Chinese model to make Pakistan independent

Chinese VP says CPEC is foundation of a new era of friendship

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that China and Pakistan were entering the second phase of flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which would help promote investment, progress and prosperity not only for Pakistan but also for the entire region.

Addressing a ceremony held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CPEC, the prime minister said the second phase would focus on high quality development envisaging a growth corridor, with completion of special economic zones, industrial and green corridors, and openness and connectivity.

Besides PM, the event was attended by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and other foreign dignitaries.

PM Shehbaz said that second phase of the CPEC will be the phase of high-quality development and a number of corridors including growth corridor, special economic zones (SEZs), livelihood innovations corridors along with green projects and openness and connectivity corridors. He expressed confidence that with the CPEC in place, Gwadar would evolve into one of the busiest ports in the region.

PM Shehbaz said, “I thank the Chinese president for sending his senior official to Pakistan, expressing the solidarity of people-to-people friendship between the two countries. This gesture demonstrates the strength of our friendship.”

“I have no doubt that we are entering into the second phase of CPEC. Today, we have signed some important documents which will enhance our economic cooperation, and we will undertake the second phase under a new mode,” he told the gathering.

The PM highlighted that the agreements would lead to investments in agriculture and IT, enabling Pakistan, with China’s support, to export items according to the requirements and standards of the Chinese government.

Vice Premiere of China, He Lifeng said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a project of important significance between both countries which has brought changes in lives of hundreds of thousands of peoples. The Chinese vice premier said that the project is the foundation of a new era of friendship between both neighbouring countries. Chinese VP said that China fully supported Pakistan in protecting its sovereignty.

After the ceremony, delegation-level talks were held by PM Shehbaz and He Lifeng which encompassed multiple areas of bilateral cooperation.

On Monday morning, the Chinese vice premier was accorded a welcome after he arrived at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad to meet PM Shehbaz Sharif.

The premier received the foreign dignitary at the main entrance of the PM House.

Taking to Twitter, the PM “warmly welcomed” the Chinese vice premier and the members of his delegation.

China and Pakistan also signed six MOUs and agreements for the promotion of bilateral cooperation during a ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of CPEC. Agencies