China and Pakistan have reaffirmed their support to CPEC’s high-quality development and the commitment to ensure the smooth operation of completed projects and the timely completion of projects under construction.
This understanding reached during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing during his four-day visit to China.
Both sides acknowledged the major contribution of CPEC projects, particularly in the areas of energy and transport infrastructure, in strengthening Pakistan’s key role in regional connectivity.
The two sides agreed to jointly accelerate the construction and operation of Gwadar Port.
They are set to build high-quality livelihood projects for the socio-economic development of Gwadar city.
They are keen to consolidate bilateral trade relations by fully utilizing the 2nd Phase of Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement.
China welcomed more of Pakistan’s high-quality food and agricultural products to its market.
Welcoming the establishment of Pakistan’s pavilions on Chinese e-commerce platforms, the two sides also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in e-commerce and setting up online payment systems
Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked Chinese leadership for provision of COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan which have been a mainstay of national mass vaccination drive.
Both sides reiterated the importance of people-to-people contacts, tourism cooperation and cultural exchanges for strong bilateral relations.
The two leaders agreed to celebrate Pakistan-China Year of Tourism Exchanges in 2023 and establish strong linkages between the tourism promotion agencies.
They are set to make all possible efforts to expand cooperation for the conservation and presentation of heritage and artefacts of the two countries.
On the defence cooperation, the leaders are eager to continue the momentum at various levels between the armed forces of Pakistan and China.
They underscored that stronger defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China is an important factor of peace and stability in the region.
The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue should be peacefully resolved under the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.
On Afghanistan, the two sides underscored the need to expedite humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and its people to avert the looming crisis.
During the visit, the two sides signed and concluded a number of agreements, covering bilateral cooperation in a number of sectors.
