Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that the completion of Gwadar International Airport showed Chinese leadership’s commitment and dedication to support Pakistan’s economic agenda and to help develop its backward areas.
Addressing a ceremony of virtual inauguration of the newly completed Gwadar International Airport in Islamabad, the prime minister said that the landmark achievement was all about time-tested friendship between the two countries.
He expressed the hope that the completion of this international airport would transform Gwadar’s economy in particular and the economy of Pakistan in general.
PM Shehbaz and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang were at hands to unveil the plaque of Gwadar International Airport.
The ceremony was attended by members of the both delegations, ministers, military leadership and senior officials.
PM Shehbaz said that today, both sides had witnessed the signing and exchange of MoUs between the two countries in various fields of industry, commerce and agriculture.
“No doubt these MoUs will shape into agreements very soon through joint efforts of both countries. Once again, I thank you for your visit to Pakistan out of your busy schedule which is a reflection of your commitment to promoting friendship between the two countries,” the prime minister told the Chinese premier.
He further said that earlier today, the two sides held comprehensive discussions.
PM Shehbaz also thanked President Xi, the Chinese premier and the people of China for their generous gift in shape of Gwadar International Airport.
“This gift is another feather in CPEC’s cap” and assured his Chinese counterpart to work closely with him to complete the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the peace and security of the people of Pakistan and China,” he said.
PM Shehbaz further said that the completion of project reflected the untiring efforts of the Chinese and Pakistani engineers and workers who made it possible as world class airport.
“It will be remembered as another gift by China,” he added.
In his remarks, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiqang congratulated Pakistani nation and the government on behalf of the Chinese government and his people on the completion of Gwadar airport which was a manifestation of the commitment of the Chinese and Pakistani engineers and workers and also thanked the Pakistani society for their support.
He said that it was a critical step for realizing the vision of regional connectivity and whatever they had achieved in the last many years, demonstrated the strength of Pak-China friendship, adding the inauguration would significantly capitalize to promote shipping and port activities and enhance regional connectivity in the entire region.
Premier Li further said that as a symbol of deepening cooperation, ‘CPEC played a positive role in Pakistan’s economic and social development and regional integration’.
He said that it was all possible owing to the consistent efforts of both sides.
Premier Li assured that China would continue to work closely with the intimate Pakistani friends in building and benefiting together by pursuing the goals of high standards, sustainability and high quality of Belt and Road initiative.
Referring to the Pak-China ties, he termed them as of ‘special relationship and friendship’ and said that this all-weather strategic partnership was further deepening.
“The unique and unbreakable time-tested ironclad friendship stood the global changing landscape,” Premier Li added
He reiterated to work hand in hand with the Pakistani friends to accelerate the mutual economic development in the future.
Earlier, as Premier Li arrived at PM House, Prime Minister Shehbaz warmly received him at the formal welcome ceremony where he was given a guard of honour before proceedings for the meeting and delegation-level talks.
As Premier Li arrived at the venue of formal welcome reception, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed him.
The national anthems of Pakistan and China were played as the dignitary stood at the salute dias.
The smartly turned-out contingents of three armed forces presented a guard of honour which Premier Li reviewed.
Later, both the prime ministers introduced their respective delegations to each other before proceeding for the bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks.
Premier Li also planted a saplings in the lawn of PM House.
The two prime ministers, accompanied by their respective delegations witnessed the ceremony.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang led the delegation-level talks at the Prime Minister’s House.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed all aspects of bilateral relations and discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest.
They reiterated their support to each other on all core issues and pledged to develop China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) phase-II at the highest standards.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction that the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership which was based on mutual trust and shared principles was being further strengthened with the passage of time.
The two sides also stressed the need for timely completion of all the ongoing projects including industry, modernization of agriculture, information technology, science and technology for the mutual benefits and for the socio-economic development of Pakistan.
The two leaders also expressed satisfaction that cooperation under CPEC had entered into a new phase.
PM Shehbaz Sharif assured Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan.
The two sides agreed to continue the high-level contacts, including strengthening of all areas of bilateral cooperation.
In the meeting, discussions were held regarding the relocation of Chinese industry to Pakistan and strategies to increase Chinese investment in Pakistan.
It was reiterated in the meeting that Pakistan and China would continue close consultations on issues of regional and global importance and at the multilateral fora.
Pakistan and China agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors including security, education, agriculture, human resources development and science and technology.
In this regard, two sides exchanged documents of 13 accords at a ceremony held at PM House also witnessed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
The documents were exchanged after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang held the delegation-level talks wherein they discussed all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan and China also exchanged the documents of a Handing over certificate of Smart Classrooms Project inked by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Pakistan and China exchanged the minutes of 13th meeting of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee and 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar under CPEC.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Lou Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Promoting Cooperation on Livelihood Working Group of CPEC.
Both sides reached an understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fields of “Information and Communication”, “Water Conservancy Facilities, Flood Control and Calamity Reduction”, and “Security.” The MoUs in this regard were exchanged by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency.
Ahad Cheema and Luo Zhaohui also exchanged documents of Letters of Exchange on “Human Resource Development under the GDI” and “Assistance Program of Fire Fighting Vehicles to Islamabad.”
Two countries exchanged an MoU on Jointly Supporting the Joint Laboratories inked by Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Sajid Baloch and Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong.
Pakistan and China also agreed on the “Co-production of TV Programs” and the document was signed by Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan and Chinese Ambassador Zaidong.
Minister for National Food Security and and Research Rana Tanvir Hussain and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, exchanged the documents of protocol on Quarantine Requirements of export of donkey meat to China.
Announcement of the agreement on Currency Swap Agreement between the People’s Bank of China and the State Bank of Pakistan was also made during the ceremony.
Earlier in the day, Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang on Monday was accorded a red carpet as he arrived in Islamabad on a four-day bilateral visit to meet Pakistan’s civil and military leadership and attend the meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Premier Li Qiang is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers and senior officials including from the ministries of foreign affairs and commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission and the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
This is the first visit of any Chinese premier to Pakistan after 11 years.
On his arrival at the airport, Premier Li was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, other federal cabinet members and senior government officials.
Clad in traditional Pakistani dresses, two children presented bouquets to the dignitary as a 21-gun salute in the backdrop heralded his arrival. The static guards of Pakistan’s armed forces presented a salute to the dignitary.
Premier Li Qiang was given a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House as he arrived there to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and hold the delegation-level talks.