Two countries set to advance bilateral ties to a new height

Pakistan and China have a longstanding and iron-clad friendship, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's first visit to China starting on Tuesday will push the bilateral ties even further. The prime minister's visit will also raise the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor cooperation to a new height, said Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's minister for planning, development and special initiatives.

"We look forward to continuing the momentum of the CPEC construction during 2013-18 when Shehbaz Sharif was the chief minister of Punjab and one of the key supporters and implementers. We hope that Chinese enterprises will relocate to the special economic zone in the CPEC, which will not only create job opportunities and boost industrialization in Pakistan, but also help Pakistan improve export trade," he said.

A flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the CPEC has improved people's livelihoods in Pakistan and brought about prominent economic and social benefits to the region.

At the 11th meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Joint Cooperation Committee held recently online, China gave a warm welcome and looks forward to further promoting high-level strategic cooperation with Pakistan.

Iqbal said that Pakistan and China have a very deep understanding of global issues and hoped that the cooperation between the two countries will help Pakistan make significant progress in achieving sustainable development goals.

Pakistan is willing to learn from China's experience in achieving leapfrog development.

Iqbal expressed the hope that through cooperation, the beautiful vision of a community with a shared future for mankind can be realized.

Moin ul Haque, Pakistan's ambassador to China, said at a trade and industrial cooperation summit between China and Pakistan that: "As an old friend, Pakistan welcomes Chinese friends anytime, anywhere."

Haque said the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership has become stronger as time goes on. China's sincere assistance to Pakistan in flood and disaster relief is a good example. "We are very touched by the support and help from all walks of life in China," Haque said.

"I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Chinese people on behalf of the Pakistani people," he added.

When talking about Pakistan-China economic and trade cooperation, Haque said that China is Pakistan's largest trading partner and source of investment.

Since the protocol of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement came into effect on Dec 1, 2019, trade liberalization between the two countries has been greatly improved. China stands ready to deepen economic and trade cooperation with Pakistan. He said that the CPEC can not only enhance cooperation between Pakistan and China at a wider level and promote the development of Pakistan's economy, but promote global business cooperation. "Chinese investors who come to Pakistan will definitely be warmly welcomed," Haque said.