Beijing: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, where both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to advance the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II), focusing on industrial cooperation and infrastructure development.
According to a statement from the Press Information Department (PID), “both sides also agreed to continue working closely on the next phase of upgraded CPEC 2.0, with its five new corridors.”
PM Shehbaz highlighted the “significant contribution” of CPEC in Pakistan’s socio-economic development over the past decade. He particularly stressed the importance of early implementation of the ML-1 railway project, realignment of the Karakoram Highway, and operationalisation of Gwadar Port.
The PID noted that the meeting was held in a “warm and friendly” atmosphere, with both leaders expressing satisfaction at the positive trajectory of Pak-China relations.
PM Shehbaz expressed his deep gratitude to China’s leadership and people for their consistent support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and development.
Recalling his earlier meeting with President Xi Jinping, Shehbaz emphasized the “shared resolve to strengthen the iron-clad, all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” between the two nations. The signing of the Joint Action Plan 2024–2029 was hailed as an important milestone in this regard.
The high-level talks were followed by a luncheon hosted by Premier Li in honor of PM Shehbaz and his delegation.
PM Shehbaz’s ongoing six-day visit to China coincides with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where Pakistan and China pledged to further expand their bilateral cooperation. He is also expected to meet Chinese Minister for Information Technology and Industry Li Lecheng and preside over the Pakistan-China Business-to-Business (B2B) Investment Conference in Beijing today.
The B2B forum, which follows last year’s inaugural edition in Shenzhen, aims to strengthen trade and investment ties, review past progress, and set out future plans for collaboration.
At the sidelines of the SCO summit, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed support for Pakistan’s development capacity, pledging to build CPEC 2.0, upgrade the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, and step up cooperation in industries, agriculture, and mining.
PM Shehbaz reiterated that CPEC is a “flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”, and remains central to building a Pakistan-China community with a shared future.
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