—— Shehbaz welcomes Chinese VP at PM House
—— Chinese Vice Premier stresses on further boosting cooperation in industries, culture, and health
—— Hails consistent progress of CPEC
—— Shehbaz lauds fresh trade agreements between Pakistan, China
—— Says Pakistan ready to add to China’s shared destiny of progress, prosperity
—— Both sides affirm zero “tolerance over obstacles” in the way of friendship
—— Both sides sign six agreements for promotion of bilateral cooperation
—— President confers Hilal-i-Pakistan on Chinese Vice Premier
—— COAS, Chinese VP reiterate desire for increasing bilateral ties in all sectors
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: A special ceremony was held here on Monday to celebrate the completion of the first decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
High-level leadership attended the event from Pakistan and China, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping’s Special Repre-sentative, and the Vice Premier of the State Council of China He Lifeng.
Senior ministers of China and Pakistan, high-ranking officials from both countries and corporate executives of leading Chinese companies working in Pakistan also participated in the event.
Addressing the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Vice Premier He Lifeng paid rich tribute to CPEC for its positive contribution to Pakistan’s so-cio-economic development, and progress and prosperity of the peoples of the two countries.
They underscored that as the flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC had transformed Pakistan’s economic landscape by removing infrastructure bottlenecks and eliminating power shortages.
Expressing satisfaction at the remarkable achievements of CPEC, both leaders expressed their firm resolve to build upon the achievements of the last decade, and continue their cooperation for further developing it as a high-quality demonstrable project of the BRI.
The leadership of Pakistan and China also appreciated the endeavours of Pakistani and Chinese experts, engineers and workers for their meritorious contribution to the timely completion of all CPEC projects in Pakistan.
On the occasion, Vice Premier He Lifeng also read a special message of President Xi Jinping, congratulating the government and the people of Pakistan on the completion of the first decade of CPEC.
To mark the significance of the occasion, a special Postal Stamp, Com-memorative Coin and First Day Cover, were also issued. Both sides also un-veiled a First Decade of CPEC memento capturing its achievements made and futuristic vision.
During the event, special performances were organized to display multiple facets of Pakistan’s pluralistic and progressive culture; and to highlight civi-lizational affinity and fraternal ties between Pakistan and China.
It may be recalled that Pakistan and China had kicked off CPEC projects in 2013, after the visit of the Chinese Premier to Pakistan. Under the rubric of CPEC, the two countries initiated and completed multiple projects in the past ten years in the energy sector, transport infrastructure, port/airport development and digital connectivity.
CPEC brought huge dividends to Pakistan as manifested in the creation of over 200,000 jobs; addition of 8000 MW power to the national grid; building of 510 kilometers of highways and 932 kilometers of roads network; and laying of 820-kilometer long optical fiber line.
Under Phase-II of CPEC, both countries have expanded cooperation to new areas, including rural revitalization; agricultural development; industrializa-tion; green development; and science and technology.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated on Monday that Pakistan and China are all weather friends and iron brothers adding that he will not tolerate any obstacles in its way.
He expressed the view while addressing a ceremony where he along with visiting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng witnessed signing of agreements and MOUs for promotion of bilateral cooperation.
“The documents signed today are aimed at further strengthening economic relations between the two countries,” he said.
Under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), more than $25 billion worth of investment has taken place in Pakistan’s power and hydel sector, road infrastructure and public transport.
He said the CPEC was enter the second phase, which will envisage investments in sectors such as agriculture and information technology.
He said Pakistan was ready to contribute towards Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of shared destiny of progress and prosperity. He said both ML-1 and Karachi circular railway projects were of immense importance, expressing the confidence that both the sides will successfully achieve these and many other projects. He was confident that this will help Pakistan stand on its own feet.
He also vowed to emulate the Chinese model of development to achieve peace and prosperity in the country.
Pakistan and China have signed six agreements and MOUs for promotion of bilateral cooperation. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and the Vice Chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission of People’s Republic of China signed the document on the joint cooperation committee of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The second document signed by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and the Vice Chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission of People’s Republic of China was related to the establishment of an experts exchange mechanism within the frame-work of CPEC.
The third document was signed by the Secretary Ministry of National Food Security Zafar Hassan and the Chinese Charge D’Affaires Pang Chunxue for the export of dried Chillies from Pakistan to China.
Member Planning of National Highway Authority Asim Amin and Chinese Charge D’Affaires Pang Chunxue signed the fourth document on the realignment of Karakoram Highway Phase II project feasibility study.
The two sides also signed through diplomatic channels the MOU on Industrial Workers’ Exchange Program. The two sides agreed to promote the strategic ML-1 project.
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz shared a tweet to welcome the Chinese vice premier and members of his delegation to Pakistan.
“It is my pleasure to warmly welcome the Chinese Vice-Premier H.E. He Lifeng and members of his delegation to Pakistan,” he wrote.
“They are visiting Pakistan to join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of CPEC and witnessing first-hand the transformations brought about by this game-changing initiative,” Mr Sharif added.
Local holidays had been announced in Islamabad for July 31 and August 1. The announcement of the public holiday was made with the approval of the chief commissioner.
Meanwhile, President Arif Alvi conferred Pakistan’s second-highest civil award, Hilal-i-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan), on Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng during an investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadar in Islamabad on Monday.
The award was given to the Chinese dignitary to honour his role in the promotion of bilateral ties between Pakistan and China.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other civil and military leaders.
The Chinese vice premier arrived in Islamabad a day earlier. He was welcomed at the airport by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
According to the Foreign Office (FO), the visiting dignitary will be in Pakistan from July 30 to August 1 (Tuesday). He Lifeng will attend a ceremony celebrating a decade of CPEC as the chief guest.
The visiting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir here on Monday and discussed matters of mutual interest and defence cooperation.
According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release, during the meeting, both dignitaries reiterated the desire to further enhance and strengthen bilateral relations in all fields.
