China visit will help take strong ties between two countries to new heights: PM Imran
Pakistan
China visit will help take strong ties between two countries to new heights
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday his visit to China would be helpful in taking the strong relations between the two countries to new heights.
He said this in a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Adviser on National Security Dr Moeed Yusuf, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the prime minister was given a detailed briefing on the progress being made on ongoing concrete projects between Pakistan and China to enhance cooperation in the fields of CPEC, Special Economic Zones, Investment, Trade, Information Technology and Agriculture.
In a detailed briefing on industrial zones, it was informed that 600 acres of land has been made available for setting up of industries in M3 economic zone and work on infrastructure is in full swing after power supply.
The meeting was also apprised of the steps taken by the Board of Investment to facilitate the establishment of industries for local and foreign investors.
On the occasion, PM Imran said that his visit to China would be instrumental in taking the strong relations between the two countries to new heights, adding that Pakistan values fraternal relations with China.
The premier issued instructions to ensure timely completion of all measures.
He said that business-friendly policies of the government have made Pakistan as the most attractive destination in the region for investment in industries, adding that foreign investment in industries will not only increase employment and exports but also enable technology transfer.
Imran Khan said that government is ensuring the system of SEZs on priority basis on the Plug and Play model. He said appointment of the Board of Governors and the management of SEZs are being made in view of upholding meritocracy and non-conflict of interest.
China visit
It is pertinent to mention here that the PM, at the special invitation of the Chinese leadership, will leave for China tomorrow (Thursday) on a four-day visit to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games.
He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including members of the Cabinet and senior government officials. As a global event, the Olympic Games foster mutual understanding, inclusivity and friendship among the peoples of the world.
Beijing will soon become the first city to host both summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games. During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
The leaders will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation including CPEC. They will also have wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues.
It would thus renew the bilateral commitment to taking the iron-clad partnership between Pakistan and China to new heights and add impetus to cooperation across multiple domains. A number of MoUs and Agreements would be concluded during the visit.
While in Beijing, he would also meet prominent business leaders of China and representatives of leading Chinese think-tanks, academia and the media. He will also have other bilateral interactions on the sidelines.
The prime minister s visit would mark the culmination of celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, with more than 140 events organized to showcase the resilience of the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the unfolding international situation.
