Pakistan and China signed 23 memoranda of understanding on Friday to deepen bilateral cooperation in multiple areas, including transport infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, health, water, socioeconomic development, and other areas of mutual interest.
The MoUs were signed after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang held delegation-level talks in Beijing wherein they reaffirmed that the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership was characterized by mutual trust, shared principles, and strategic governance, said a Foreign Office spokesperson.
Both sides also expressed unwavering support for each other's fundamental concerns and reiterated their commitment to the high-quality advancement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the prompt completion of ongoing projects. Both sides also agreed to protect the CPEC from detractors and adversaries, with Prime Minister Shehbaz PM reaffirming his commitment to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.
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The two countries agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, including the strengthening of institutional linkages in all tiers and spheres, besides continuing to hold consultations on matters of bilateral and global significance, particularly during Pakistan's two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026.
The spokesperson said that since his arrival in China, the prime minister has met with Chinese investors and businesspersons in order to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. During the meeting and events, including a business forum in Shenzhen, he encouraged Chinese companies to invest and develop joint ventures.
Several memorandums of understanding have also been signed with Chinese companies in the fields of economy, green energy, textiles, and manufacturing. Before his five-day visit to China, the prime minister told the Chinese media that he would engage with Chinese business leaders to secure investments and yield dividends mutually beneficial to both sides.
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“We are coming with serious plans. We will engage with you and return to Pakistan with great dividends that will benefit Chinese and Pakistani companies, and the two countries will have their relations strengthened and become much higher than the Himalayas or any other highest peaks and deeper than the deepest oceans,” he had remarked.
PM meets Chinese premier
The bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries were discussed during delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The premier was accompanied by prominent members of his cabinet.
On his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, a welcome ceremony was arranged in honour of the prime minister. During the discussions, the two leaders deliberated on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest.
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Premier Li congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Pakistan's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The two leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for each other on core issues and expressed their continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of CPEC.
Pakistan and China have resolved to safeguard CPEC from critics and ensure timely completion of all ongoing projects, with a particular emphasis on industrial development, agriculture modernization, science and technology, and the establishment of Special Economic Zones for mutually beneficial and socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The two sides discussed the importance of Gwadar as an important pillar of CPEC and agreed to expedite the completion of all related infrastructure projects in order to transform it into a regional economic hub.
After the meeting, Premier Li Qiang hosted an official banquet in honor of the prime minister.
