Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed matters of mutual interest, promotion of Pak-China ties, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and regional situation at Prime Minister’s House on Saturday.

Shahbaz said that Chinese friendship is a valuable asset for every Pakistani and Pakistan is proud of Pak-China friendship. He said that friendship between both the countries has converted into economic cooperation, and Pakistan and China hold similar opinion on regional and international matters.

He said, “China has always stood with Pakistan in testing times and proved its friendship in real terms. A new era of development and progress has ushered in Pakistan due to projects of CPEC and projects of CEPC have become a reality after their completion in record time and we have to jointly work to make projects of CPEC successful.”

He said the belt and road vision of the Chinese President is the vision of peace, development and progress. He said the current government has set new example in the world by speedily completing development projects and now international institutions openly acknowledge speedy progress and sustainable development in Pakistan and transparency in Pakistan is also being praised by international institutions.

He said billions of rupees of Chinese investment in Pakistan represents trust of China in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his policies and all institutions of Pakistan are forwarding projects of CPEC in a form of a movement.

He said, “We are thankful to the role of the Chinese foreign minister in the implementation of the economic package for Pakistan.”

He said the economic revolution in the region is not a matter of distant future now due to the cooperation between Pakistan and China because the whole world praises CPEC as it is the result of joint thinking and vision of both countries.

Shahbaz said the leaderships of Pakistan and China are making joint efforts for world peace, unity and harmony and for this purpose, both countries as the members of international organisations are making every possible effort for peace and stability.

He said the visit of the Chinese foreign minister would further help strengthen regional cooperation and progress besides diplomatic relations. About the Chinese investment and cooperation with Pakistan, the CM said relationship of love and respect in the top leadership at the highest level are resulting in profitable economic benefits for the people of both countries through projects of economic development. About the recent incidents of terrorism, Shahbaz said that forces which are creating impediments in the way of CPEC projects are involved in the killing of innocent people in Pakistan through terrorist activities and these forces want to stop development process to fail the projects of international significance but Pakistan Army and all other security institutions are alert and those involved in terrorism in Pakistan will be brought to justice.

He said terrorists are joint enemies of Pakistan and China and both countries will face this enemy jointly. He said joint enemy will have to be eliminated through joint efforts at the international level because sustainable development is not possible without elimination of terrorism and sustainable peace in the region is drastically needed for development and progress. He praised the positive role of China for peace, cooperation and development and said all regional countries should cooperate for elimination of poverty, unemployment, and economic problems. The CM conveyed the message of best wishes of Nawaz to the Chinese minister.

Wang Yi expressed his grief and sorrow over the recent incidents of terrorism in the country and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He said, “We stand by Pakistan and its people during this time of agony.”

He also paid tributes to the sacrifices of Pakistan for elimination of terrorism. He said China is working shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan for development and peace and CPEC would bring about peace and prosperity in the region. He said Pak-China friendship has always remained exemplary in every period and China would continue playing its role in development and progress of Pakistan. He said both the countries want peace and cooperation and will promote trade and industry, and cooperation between both countries in every field is praiseworthy. Shahbaz hosted a dinner in the honour of Chinese FM. The Chinese minister thanked the CM for warm welcome. Ambassador of China in Pakistan Sun Weidong, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mehtab, Foreign Advisor Sartaj Aziz, Minister of State Maryam Aurangzeb and Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha were also present.

Published in Daily Times, June 25th, 2017.