LAHORE: A memorandum of understanding was signed between Punjab government and Beijing Friendship Hospital’s Liver Transplant Centre at Model Town on Wednesday. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion while Chinese Consul General Yu Borne along with Liver Transplant Centre head Prof Zhu Zhi Jun and his team attended the function. Under the agreement, the Chinese institution would extend cooperation in the project of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute and treatment of liver diseases. The Chinese institution would also share its experiences and skills with Punjab government as well as cooperate in training of doctors, nurses, technicians, transplant coordinators and other staff in the treatment of liver diseases. Specialized Health and Medical Education Secretary Najam Ahmed Shah and Liver Transplant Center head Prof Zhu Zhi Jun signed the documents. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister welcomed the agreement between Punjab Health Department and Beijing Friendship Hospital’s Liver Transplant Centre and said that its implementation would help in transfer of expertise and technology of the Chinese medical institution to Punjab. He said that China is a close friend of Pakistan and helped it in every hour of need, adding that the visit of the Chinese institution head and specialists in the treatment of liver diseases to Lahore for the agreement of cooperation for Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute is a proof of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government is setting a unique project of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute in the provincial metropolis where modern treatment facilities would be available to kidney and liver patients. He said that cooperation of Chinese institution in the implementation of this public welfare project of great importance would be welcomed. The chief minister said that during his visit to China, he had gone to Liver Transplant Centre in Beijing Friendship Hospital and talked about mutual cooperation. He said that the arrival of the Chinese team soon after his visit and signing of the agreement is a milestone in Pak-China friendship. He said that Chinese institution has expertise in the treatment of liver diseases and Punjab government would benefit from it in the implementation of Pakistan Kidney and Liver Transplant Institute in Lahore. He thanked Chinese brethren for cooperation in PKLI project and said that collaboration between Punjab government and Liver Transplant Centre would start a new era of cooperation. He also welcomed the doctors and team of experts of Liver Transplant Centre in Lahore. The Chinese medical experts would also visit Sheikh Zayed Hospital and supervise liver transplant process. Zhu Zhi Jun, while speaking on the occasion, said that all out cooperation would be extended for setting up of liver hospital and treatment of patients suffering from liver diseases with the experiences and technical skills would also be shared with the Punjab government. He said that China and Pakistan were ‘iron brothers’ and the friendship between the two countries is unprecedented. Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif, work is being carried out expeditiously on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects. He said that China and Pakistan are not only great friends but also great partners and there is relationship of deep love and respect between the people of two countries.