Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday commenced a significant five-day trip to Beijing, China, scheduled from June 4 to June 8.
His visit comes at the invitation of Li Qiang, China’s Premier, who is hosting Sharif for the first time since the latter’s assumption of office earlier this year.
During his stay, Prime Minister Sharif is slated to engage in pivotal discussions with key Chinese figures including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, the Chairman of the National People’s Congress’s Standing Committee. The talks aim to establish a solid framework to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Additionally, Sharif will address the Business-to-Business Forum. This forum will serve as a platform for dialogue between representatives of 79 Pakistani businesses and their Chinese counterparts, focusing on reinforcing the strategic cooperative partnership that has flourished over the years through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This visit underscores the ongoing commitment to deepening ties, with both nations poised to launch the next phase of the CPEC. This includes pivotal projects such as the upgrade of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway, further development of Gwadar Port, and improvements to the Karakoram Highway.
Since the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), substantial achievements have been recorded under CPEC, with investments totaling $25.4 billion. These projects have not only generated 236,000 jobs but have also developed significant infrastructure including highways, power generation facilities, and a core transmission network which collectively bolster Pakistan’s socio-economic landscape.
Furthermore, the Chinese diplomatic representative emphasised the transformative impact of these initiatives, noting the completion and operational success of numerous projects that contribute significantly to the regional development.
Looking ahead, Sharif’s visit is set to enhance collaboration across various sectors including industry, agriculture, mining, energy, and information technology, while also promoting trade liberalisation.
In preparation for this visit, Prime Minister Sharif conducted a strategic meeting last week, focusing on optimising the outcomes of the upcoming business engagements with China. He directed officials to devise strategies to attract Chinese industries to Pakistan, promising full governmental support and facilitation.
Additionally, he has called upon Pakistan’s ambassador to China to ensure comprehensive support for the Pakistani delegates during their interactions in China.
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