IK’s visit to China a resounding success

On Thursday, China said it believed that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Beijing would inject a new impetus into bilateral partnership between the two all-weather friends, adding there were a lot of fruitful outcomes from his visit. Indeed, Imran Khan’s visit to China was a resounding success, as Pakistan and China agreed that the implementation of the second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would lead to more trade, economic and investment opportunities between the two countries. Imran Khan was accorded a very warm welcome at the Great Hall of the People. During a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, both sides noted that frequent bilateral exchanges contributed to taking the bilateral cooperative partnership to new heights.
Both leaders also discussed bilateral trade and economic partnership as well as the regional security, including the serious human rights and humanitarian situation in the Indian-Occupied Kashmir, especially during the lockdown for more than two months. Imran Khan thanked the leadership and people of China for their warm hospitality and invited Chinese leadership to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time. China appreciated Pakistan’s unrelenting efforts and tremendous sacrifices while countering terrorism. It also supported Pakistan in implementing National Action Plan and called on the international community to objectively recognize Pakistan’s contribution to regional peace and security through its fight against terrorism. The two sides held in-depth exchange of views on deepening bilateral cooperation in areas of trade, investment, finance, education, agriculture, social sector, people to people contacts and cultural linkages.
Chinese investment in specialized Economic Zones and collaboration in Small and Medium Enterprises sector would further expand Pakistan’s industrial base and diversify its export base. The prime minister felicitated Premier Li on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Prime Minister Imran informed his Chinese counterpart that expeditious completion of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects was the foremost
priority of his government. The transformational project was pivotal to accelerating Pakistan’s economic development and regional prosperity, he said. He also apprised Premier Li of the actions taken recently by the government to fast track the CPEC projects and to push the development momentum in Gwadar. Imran Khan underscored that the cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China served the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples.
According to ISPR, Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa met Chinese military leadership, including PLA Army Commander, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission and Commander Southern Theater Command. According to reports, he also joined the Prime Minister in meetings with Chinese Prime Minister and President. Commenting on the prime minister’s visit and his meetings with the top Chinese leadership, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said that Beijing attached great importance to the visit of Imran Khan. He also reiterated that China’s position on Kashmir dispute had been consistent, and China supported the principled and sane stance of Pakistan. With Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS’ visit and meetings with their counterparts would further boost already existing warm and friendly relationship between the two countries.