THE two-day visit of the high level delegation from China, headed by Yang Jiechi, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of its Foreign Affairs Commission, proved highly beneficial for strengthening further the model relationship between the two countries.
The delegation had intensive negotiations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior leadership of the Foreign Office and Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa where renewed commitment was expressed by the two countries to boost cooperation in vital fields and exchanged views on regional and global situation.
Apart from the good wishes expressed by the two sides, there was also a concrete outcome of the visit as a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed regarding announcement of China for a fresh roll over of $2 billion to Pakistan to shore up dwindling foreign exchange reserves of the country.
In view of shortage of fertilizer, China has also decided to export 200,000 tons of urea fertilizer to Pakistan besides provision of 3,000 sets of solar home systems to help the country overcome its energy crisis through popularization of cost-effective and environment-friendly solar power.
Pakistan will export embryos to China for quarantine and health requirements for buffalo and Rhodes Grass to China.
All this showed that China was willing to extend its valuable support to Pakistan to help tackle fundamental problems of its economy and promote welfare of the people.
Already, as pointed out by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), flagship of the visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has transformed Pakistan’s economic base and strengthened capacity for self-development.
Keeping in view the sluggish pace of work on CPEC projects, it is important to note that the Prime Minister has reaffirmed the resolve of his Government to accelerate the pace and complete CPEC projects at the earliest.
In this regard, priorities of his Government were highlighted by his remarks that Pakistan attaches high importance to the strategic ML-I and other key projects including Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Babusar Tunnel, and desalination plant in Karachi as all these projects are vital to accelerate the pace of socio-economic progress in Pakistan.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the two sides during meeting of the visiting Chinese delegation with the COAS with special focus on strengthening security for Chinese personnel and projects which has assumed special relevance because of attempts being made by some external forces to undermine progress on the historic initiative of CPEC.
General Bajwa, who recently visited China, has played a key role in removing apprehensions of China in this regard as all out efforts are being made to give elaborate security cover to all CPEC related projects.
We hope that the momentum in bilateral cooperation, triggered by the visit of Yang Jiechi, will be taken to new heights during the visit of the PM to China.
