Beijing, China, October 18, 2023 – On Wednesday, Pakistan and China jointly committed to enhancing high-level dialogue and engagement while further deepening their multifaceted relations encompassing politics, economics, education, science & technology, culture, and people-to-people connections.
These developments were a focal point of discussions during a bilateral meeting between Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Kakar and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing.
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In a demonstration of the enduring and unwavering friendship between Pakistan and China, the two leaders, along with their accompanying ministers and senior officials, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Prime Minister Kakar extended warm congratulations to the Chinese leadership for successfully hosting the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF), acknowledging its global significance in terms of connectivity and shared prosperity.
Prime Minister Kakar recognized the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a project of immense global significance, emphasizing its potential to foster connectivity and shared economic growth across borders.
During the meeting, the leaders engaged in a detailed discussion about their collaboration within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and explored the possibilities of further expanding their economic linkages. Prime Minister Kakar underlined the pivotal role of CPEC in Pakistan’s economic development and expressed satisfaction in seeing its expansion into various sectors, including industrial development, livelihood projects, information and communication technology (ICT), mining and mineral exploration, and agriculture.
He expressed optimism regarding Chinese investments in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) contributing to diversifying Pakistan’s export portfolio and expanding its industrial base. In response, Premier Li Qiang emphasized the steady growth of bilateral cooperation and highlighted the positive momentum of CPEC projects. He expressed hope that the mutual leadership consensus would provide further impetus to trade and economic relations between the two nations.
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The bilateral meeting culminated in a signing ceremony, where several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Agreements were inked in various key areas, encompassing commerce, communication, transport, food security, research, media exchanges, space cooperation, urban sustainable development, capacity building, mineral development, industrial cooperation, climate change, and vaccine development.
This reaffirmation of the Pakistan-China partnership reflects the countries’ shared commitment to fostering comprehensive cooperation and continuing their role as prominent collaborators on the global stage, notably through the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. As both nations look to further strengthen high-level engagements and deepen their multifaceted relations, the potential for continued growth and development in numerous sectors remains promising.
