PM meets Chinese President, PM; agree to boost bilateral ties
Source : Daily Times Date : 08-11-2014
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BEIJING - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang in Beijing on Saturday on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
The leaders of the two countries agreed to further bolster their relations in diverse fields particularly in economy and energy sectors. Nawaz and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Both the leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional situation. Moreover, Implementation on Economic Corridor Project and energy and infrastructure development projects in Pakistan also featured during the meeting.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Ministers Khawaja Asif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, and Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi were also present on the occasion. The Chinese prime minister was being assisted by National Development and Reforms Commission vice chairman and other officials.
Talking to journalists after having a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Nawaz expressed the confidence that his visit to China would help resolve energy crisis in Pakistan. He said that the government was committed to address the energy shortage permanently. He pointed out that solution to the energy problem would bring progress and prosperity to Pakistan.
Nawaz said that the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor Project would prove a game changer in the region. He also said that Pakistan considers friendship with China as central pillar of its foreign policy. He hoped the projects will infuse a spirit into the slow pace of development projects, caused by the sit-ins.
He said that cooperation between Pakistan and China was reflection of close friendship between the two countries and the new projects would change to destiny of people of the people of the region. It will create new opportunities for employment and end poverty. Nawaz said that the people of Pakistan are waiting for the visit of Chinese prime minister.
He supported One China policy and hoped that the sentiments expressed by the Chinese would have positive impact on Pakistan’s economy. He was confident that cooperation of China would help Pakistan achieve economic development. The Chinese prime minister on the occasion said that the relationship between Pakistan and China is deep rooted between the two peoples. He said that China supports a strong and stable Pakistan and desire for a much more strong relationship in the future.
Nawaz also held a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and other matters of mutual interest. Meanwhile Pakistan and China signed 19 agreements and MoUs in Beijing on Saturday morning. Nawaz and Li Keqiang were also present in the ceremony. The agreements will help promote cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy and infrastructure under the Economic Corridor Project, and other sectors.
These include agreements on solar power production at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, easy loan for laying optic fiber between the two countries, mining of 65,00,000 metric tons of coal in Block-2 of Thar, 870 MW Suki Kinari Hydropower project, 1320 MW coal power project in Sahiwal, and an MoU for 100 MW Jhimpir wind power project. An agreement was signed to establish an Industrial Park in Faisalabad. The two countries also inked agreement for economic and technical cooperation.