Pakistan-China Friendship and Business Event

BEIJING: (Staff Reporter) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was the guest of honour at the Pakistan-China Friendship and Business event co-organized by Pakistan Embassy in China, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and China International Cultural Communication Center (CICCC) held in Beijing today. The event was also attended by senior members of the Prime Minister’s entourage and a large number of prominent Chinese dignitaries, officials, academics, think-tank experts and businesspersons.

 

In his keynote address at the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership, which was based on mutual respect, strategic trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. Emphasizing the historical and civilizational ties between the two countries, the Prime Minister noted the special and unique character of Pakistan China friendship that had withstood the test of time.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of multilateralism and international law for international peace, security and development. He appreciated China’s approach of cooperation and dialogue, particularly with the countries of the developing world, through a journey of common understanding and shared prosperity.

The Prime Minister appreciated President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a Shared Future for Mankind and its related initiatives including Belt and Road Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative and Global Civilizational Initiative. He complemented these initiatives for providing practical solutions to the challenges of peace, security and development facing the contemporary world.

Highlighting CPEC as the major plank of Pakistan’s economic reform agenda, the Prime Minister said that CPEC presented a success story of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and a solid foundation for Pakistan’s economic development. He expressed confidence that the next phase of CPEC would serve to further deepen the Pakistan-China strategic partnership.

The Prime Minister urged the Chinese investors and businesspersons to make use of the investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially with the establishment of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that offers one-window solution to international investors. He called for practical and mutually beneficial cooperation in priority areas of mining, ICT and agriculture.