Pakistan, China entering new phase of people-centric and development-oriented cooperation: PM Shehbaz 

Hangzhou, China (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and China are stepping into a fresh stage of cooperation centered on practical progress, public welfare and long-term development.

He made these remarks during a meeting with Wang Hao, Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, held in Hangzhou on Saturday.

During the meeting, the prime minister commended the extraordinary progress achieved by Zhejiang Province and lauded the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping during his time as Party Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee. He especially referred to the vision that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.”

PM Shehbaz observed that Zhejiang had become a strong example of how environmental protection, sustainable growth and economic prosperity could move forward together in a balanced and mutually beneficial way.

The prime minister stated that Pakistan places great importance on expanding collaboration with Zhejiang Province in areas such as the digital economy, e-commerce, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and vocational training.

He further said that cooperation between provinces remained a key pillar of Pakistan-China ties and could contribute significantly to the advancement of CPEC Phase-II through industrial partnerships, modern farming practices, technological cooperation and export-driven growth.

During the visit, the prime minister also witnessed the signing of two important cooperation agreements. The first agreement was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a sister-province relationship between Zhejiang Province and Punjab Province.

The agreement is aimed at enhancing collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people connections.

PM Shehbaz also attended the signing of another agreement between Hangzhou Normal University and the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing for the creation of the China-Pakistan Joint Technology Research Centre at the university.

The centre will promote academic collaboration, applied research, technological exchange and stronger institutional partnerships between Pakistan and China.