PM Imran departs for China, expresses resolve to take partnership to newer heights
Last updated on: 25 April,2019 05:58 pm
The visit will be instrumental to further expanding scope and depth of the bilateral ties.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday has departed for China on four-day official visit to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.
According to Dunya News, the prime minister expressed resolve to take all weather strategic cooperative partnership with China to newer heights. He expressed confidence that his visit will be instrumental to further expanding the scope and depth of the bilateral ties.
Imran Khan said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative. CPEC will remain the top priority of his government.
The prime minister said in Phase II of CPEC, we are jointly focusing on socio-economic development, job creation, livelihood projects and accelerating cooperation in agriculture and industrial cooperation including Special Economic Zones.
“China is our closest friend and iron brother,” he said adding, “I look forward to meet my good friends President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for an in-depth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest.”
Imran Khan said: “It is a matter of great satisfaction for him that Pakistan-China bilateral ties are not only based on convergence of interests but are rooted in common experiences of past and high level of mutual trust and understanding.”
This friendship is ingrained in the hearts and minds of our people. It would remain unaffected by any regional and international developments.
The premier endorsed China s vision of a peaceful world based on win-win cooperation and community of shared destiny and a new model of development envisioned in President Xi s Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese President Xi Jinping s invitation
The prime minister is paying the visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping where he will deliver a keynote speech in the opening ceremony of the Forum tomorrow (Friday).
He would also hold meetings with several Heads of State and Government and corporate and business leaders. PM Imran is also scheduled to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank delegation during his visit.
In addition to participating in the Belt and Road Forum, the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
Pakistan and China will also sign several MoUs and Agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse areas.
The Belt and Road Forum provides a platform to countries participating in Belt and Road Initiative for exchanging views and experiences on regional connectivity; policy synergy; socio-economic development and trade and commerce.
Leaders from 40 countries and delegations from over 100 countries, international organizations and corporate sector would participate in the event.
Following the Forum, the Prime Minister will attend Beijing International Horticulture Exhibition-2019 and address Pakistan Trade and Investment Conference in Beijing.