Pakistan's president praises ties with China in address to CIIE

The president of Pakistan, Arif Alvi, addressed the opening ceremony of the 3rd China International Import Expo held in Shanghai via video.

In his address, the president praised the special and unique China-Pakistan relations which have stood the test of time. He congratulated the Chinese people who, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, have successfully dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed appreciation for the organizers of the expo for arranging the event in these challenging times. He also recalled his solidarity visit to China in March 2020 during the peak of COVID-19.

Alvi said the third phase trial of COVID-19 vaccine was being conducted in Pakistan with Chinese collaboration and the vaccine will not only benefit Pakistan but the world at large. He said that as Pakistan has handled COVID-19 well without closing its economy, its economy was improving.

The president further added that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative, was forging ahead successfully. In the first phase it focused on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Now in its second phase development of social sector, agriculture and establishment of industry were at its core.

Special Economic Zones were being established in Pakistan to attract investments from China and rest of the world. Foreign investment in the country will provide jobs, improve people's livelihoods and help in poverty alleviation in Pakistan.