ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan decided to extend CPEC to Afghanistan, giving a major boost to the multi-billion dollar project. The decision will bolster regional economic development and enhance connectivity.
Both the countries decided this on Wednesday during the visiting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China along with a high-level delegation.
Meanwhile, Chinese President announced 500 million Yuan for flood relief operations in Pakistan.
According to a joint statement issued after PM Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing said that Pakistani Prime Minister met Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Le Keqiang and other senior leaders. They discussed a range of issues including CPEC, bilateral trade and commercial ties, regional and other international issues.
PM Shehbaz’s visit to China was the first visit as PM amid high hopes from the trip that took over six months to materialise. Through this visit, the government was hoping to get financial assistance from China in addition to accelerating the CPEC.
The two countries agreed to develop understanding on ML-1, a key strategic project of CPEC, for its earlier timely implementation.
According to statement, Pakistan and China also agreed to advance the Karachi Circular Railway, which was an urgent requirement for Pakistan’s biggest city.
The statement said the Chinese leaders appreciated the long-standing commitment of PM Shehbaz to China-Pakistan friendship while PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen and deepen Pakistan-China All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
The statement said, “China-Pakistan friendship is a historic choice of both peoples that serves the interests of the two countries. The Chinese side reiterated that relations with Pakistan will always be given the highest priority in its foreign policy.”
The Pakistani side underscored that the Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy and that the Pakistani people always support the closest friendship between the two countries.
