While delivering his keynote speech at the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Friday, PM Khan suggested collaboration on five key points: mitigating the adverse effects of climate change by launching an ambitious tree-planting project; establishing a Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) tourism corridor; establishing an office for anti-corruption cooperation; creating a poverty alleviation fund; further trade liberalisation and encouraging private sector investment.
The Prime Minister lauded the significance of the BRI initiative pioneered by the Chinese saying that it “marks a new and distinct phase in the onward march of nations in the world along the path of globalisation”.
“The presence of so many world leaders today is proof that we choose hope over despair and cooperation over confrontation. 122 states and 49 international organizations have signed onto the BRI’s vision and this is a historic and monumental development,” he stated.
While speaking to the audience the prime minister remarked “The BRI offers a model of partnership, collaboration, connectivity and shared prosperity,” the prime minister told the audience. “Pakistan is proud to have partnered with China in this transformative endeavour. We have been among BRI’s earliest and most enthusiastic proponents.”
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, one of the BRI’s major components ─ and one of its earliest manifestations ─ has made substantial progress. Pakistan’s energy supplies have increased massively, critical infrastructure gaps are being plugged, Gwadar ─ once a small fishing village ─ is transforming rapidly into a commercial hub. The Gwadar airport will be the largest in our country,” he said
While mentioning the special economic zones being set up along the CPEC Khan said that they offer investment opportunities for Pakistani, Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs and invited them to “avail Pakistan’s liberal foreign investment regime and participate in our economy, in particular infrastructure, railways, dams, IT and manufacturing.”
“Together Pakistan and China are entering the next phase of CPEC, with greater emphasis on socioeconomic uplift,” he also said that the next phase would be “supplemented” by the signing of an expanded Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement.
He further added that Pakistan wants to promote cooperation with China in agriculture, health and education sectors.
PM Khan also expressed gratitude towards the Chinese leadership “We are changing Pakistan’s economic landscape and Insha Allah, the destiny of our people. I want to thank China and its leadership for their unwavering support for Pakistan,” he said.
PM Khan also advocated that, as the BRI takes on a more concrete shape, world leaders should direct their efforts and focus onto the people of their countries by addressing impediments in the path that lay in the path towards sustainable growth.