Pakistan & China sign 51 agreements and MoUs for cooperation in diverse fields

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have signed 51 agreements and MoUs for cooperation in diverse fields.

These were signed by relevant ministers and officials of the two countries in the presence of visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif following their wide ranging talks in Islamabad on Monday.

The two leaders unveiled plaques of eight projects to be undertaken in Pakistan with Chinese assistance.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Xi also performed ground-breaking of five projects through video link.

The projects and agreements related to China-Pakistan Energy Corridor, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, research and technology, education and other fields.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the agreements and MoUs signed by the two countries for projects in Pakistan have sound financial and technical backing and are being put on fast track.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that friendship with China is corner stone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

He said the nature of friendship between the two countries is best captured by expressions like friendship is higher than mountains, deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel.

He said there is strong public sentiments driving our relations, which provides a sound basis for their strength.

The Prime Minister said the most prominent hallmark of our relationship is consistency and resilience.

He said times have changed.  There have been political changes in the two countries and major regional and international developments. However, our ties have remain robust. Our relations are based on shared ideals and principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit and respect.

Mian Nawaz Sharif said Chinese Presidents’ visit have always been historic and this visit is also historic.He said the visit is watershed in the history of our relations.

He said we have taken momentous decisions that will raise Pakistan-China relations to new heights and will have deep and far-reaching impact for our common economic future and peace and security in the region.

The Prime Minister said we have decided to transform our relations into strategic cooperative partnership.

He said we have reviewed regional and international development and agreed to make coordinated efforts for peace and stability in the region.

The Prime Minister said he informed the Chinese leader that Pakistan desires a peaceful neighbourhood to focus on pursuing growth and prosperity. To this end, Pakistan wants peaceful relations with all its neighbours.

Referring to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said this will benefit all provinces and areas in Pakistan and transform our country into a regional hum of commerce and investment.

He said the Corridor will also provide a shorter and cheaper route to China for trade with South, Central, and West Asia and Middle East and Africa. This corridor will become symbol of peace and prosperity.

The Prime Minister said the Chinese leader welcomed the steps taken  by Pakistan to counter the menace of terrorism and extremism especially since launch of operation Zarb-e-Azb.  He also recognized sacrifices being rendered by our armed forces and people of Pakistan in their effort to root out militancy and terrorism.

Mian Nawaz Sharif said he assured President Xi that Pakistan considers Chinese security as important as its own security.

He said the visit allowed us to coordinate our position in multilateral issues ahead of 70th anniversary of the founding of UN. Both countries have affirmed their common desire to work closely to secure their interest in UN reform process.

President Xi endorsed Pakistan’s bid for Shanghai Cooperation Organization as full member. Pakistan appreciated Chinese support in this regard.

In his remarks, Chinese President said maim objective of his visit is to further cement and giving new boost to the strategic partnership and friendly ties with Pakistan.

He expressed the confidence that his visit, particularly his participation in the inauguration and earth breaking ceremonies of various development projects will lead to open new avenues of cooperation between the two countries, including bringing prosperity and development in the region.

He assured that China will continue playing its part for sustainable socio-economic development of Pakistan with particular focus on development in Balochistan.

The Chinese president said special attention will be laid to further strengthen economic strategic partnership with Pakistan in next ten years.

He said both the countries have common future and today we have reiterated our resolve to continue working for brining peace and promoting harmony.

He said China will fully support Pakistan to get full membership of the Shanghai cooperation organization.

Xi Jinpin said his country will work with determination during the current year to further strengthen its relations with Pakistan in all fields.

He said both the countries are good brothers, who always supported each other on various occasions.

Referring to various development projects launched on Monday, he said the Pakistan-China economic corridor will be beneficial for both the countries and 30 agreements out of 51 signed today are linked with the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He hoped that construction of Karachi-Lahore motorway, Lahore Orange Line metro train, and energy projects will go long way in the socio-economic redevelopment of Pakistan.

The Chinese President appreciated Pakistan’s role in fight against terrorism and said his country will extend full cooperation to expand Pakistan’s capacity to deal with this menace.

He expressed deepest gratitude for according a rousing welcome to him and his delegation and expressed the confidence that this visit will open new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile Pakistan and China have held wide ranging talks aimed at diversifying bilateral cooperation. Pakistani delegation was led by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif while Chinese President led his country’s delegation at the talks.

The two sides explored ways and means to further strenthen their bilateral relations besides exchange of views on important regional and global issues.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is fully resolved to deepen its relations further with China. He said China is our trusted and best friend.

Mian Nawaz Sharif said people of Pakistan were anxiously waiting for the visit of the Chinese President. He said we warmly welcome a great leader from our great friend. He also welcomed the first lady of China who is accompanying the President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese President said promotion of Pak-China relations is our joint heritage and our bright future. He said strengthening of cooperation with Pakistan is part of the economic agenda of China.

He expressed the confidence that implementation of the Economic Corridor project would open a new chapter of cooperation between the two countries.

Mr. Xi Jinping said Pakistan and China have identity of views on regional and international issues.

The Chinese President said he chose Pakistan as the first country for visit abroad during current year.

He said Pakistan and China have cooperated during evacuation of their stranded national from Yemen.

After the talks, the two sides are expected to sign a number of agreements and MoUs for cooperation in different fields.

The Chinese President appreciated leadership qualities of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and said he is a senior and experienced politician.

He said after assumption of power, Nawaz Sharif initiated far reaching reforms.  These reforms are very important for Pakistan.  Mr. Xi Jinping appreciated Pakistan’s struggle against terrorism.