PM’s China Visit: Strategic importance and an indication of strong relations I

Pakistan China friendship is stronger than Himalayas and deeper than Pacific Ocean, its fragrance spreads all over the world; it is among people to people, in the hearts, minds, and sentiments of the people of both the countries. It is time tested, all weathered, long lasted, historical, unique and visionary. Pakistanis consider China as their brother, supporter, trustworthy, reliable and credible friend. Pakistan China friendship is so deep rooted that it is narrated in stories told by mothers to their children; it is narrated to students in schools, colleges and universities, it is found in poetry and music, it is found in scholars’ articles and researches.
Both the countries leadership gives very much importance to this friendship and regardless whosoever is at the helm of affairs this friendship continues to be stronger day by day.
Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif visited China on 1st November, 2022. This two day visit was PM’s first bilateral visits since assuming office. Pakistan’s leadership and people thanked China’s crucial support for Pakistan’s relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts following the destruction brought on by the nation’s catastrophic floods. The leadership of both the countries reiterated their dedication to the long-standing, all weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations. PM Shehbaz underlined that the friendship between Pakistan and China enjoyed total support from political factions in Pakistan and is a role model for inter-state relations reiterating Pakistan’s historically links with China. PM Shehbaz paid rich tribute to Chinese visionary, dynamic, committed leader President Xi Jinping. The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation across range of issues, including defence, trade and investment , agriculture, health , education, green energy, science and technology and disaster management. They also acknowledged the need for a mass-transit project in Karachi and agreed to finalize all formalities for the early launch of the Karachi Circular Railway. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to accelerate work on CPEC and pointed out that CPEC’s high quality development would further strengthen bilateral ties between two countries. The two leaders agreed that as a project of strategic importance, both sides would make joint efforts for launching ML-1 as an early harvest project, under the CPEC framework.
Chinese President Xi Jinping assured that China would continue to expand its support to Pakistan for sustainable economic development and to harness its potential as the geo economic hub.
He also announced an additional assistance package of 500 million Yuan for flood relief and rehabilitation efforts. Situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and gross violation of Human Rights Violation there also came under discussion. It was agreed that the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan will strengthen regional connectivity projects and underlined that a peaceful and secure Afghanistan would enhance regional and economic growth. PM Shehbaz also invited Chinese President Xi to visits Pakistan which was accepted. President Xi gave warm welcome to Prime Minister Pakistan and thanked him for his congratulatory letter right after opening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Two countries support each other on several global and regional issues. Both countries demonstrate iron clad friendship. The leadership of China assured Pakistan that its elevate the level of all-round strategic cooperation, speed up efforts to build a closer China Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and inject new impetus into their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. China will support firmly in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, development interests and dignity, and in achieving unity, stability, development and prosperity. China will further deepen synergy between its development strategies and those of Pakistan. Both sides agreed to make CPEC an example of high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation.
China will also work with Pakistan to expand cooperation in digital economy, e-commerce, photovoltaic and other new energy technologies. China will work with Pakistan to advance the operationalization of the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, make the global economic governance system fairer, equitable and inclusive that benefits all, and builds a community with a shared future for mankind. These collaborative efforts will provide a strong underpinning for the development of the two countries, and contribute more to global peace, stability and prosperity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that deepening Pakistan’s all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and the national consensus of Pakistan. During his visit , besides President of China Xi Jinping, also other dignitaries of China including H.E Keqiang, Premier of the State Council , also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. PM Shehbaz also felicitated President Xi Jinping on his reelection as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). PM Shehbaz paid rich tribute to the leadership of Xi Jinping and admired his vision, commitment and people centered policies.
The two sides held in-depth exchange of views on the bilateral relations as well as regional situation and international political landscape. The two sides agreed on the importance of China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership amidst the emerging global challenges. The meetings were marked by traditional warmth, mutual strategic trust and commonality of views. The leaders reaffirmed that close strategic ties and profound friendship between China and Pakistan was time-tested and resilient. Pakistan-China 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 Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy and that the Pakistani people always support the closest friendship between the two countries. Both sides expressed their satisfaction on increased volume in bilateral trade since the operationalization of the second phase of the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement. The Chinese side expressed willingness to actively support the Pakistani side in expanding export to China and welcomed quality goods including food and agriculture products from Pakistan to enter the Chinese market. It was also agreed to encourage investment and partnership on the export oriented sectors of Pakistan which would contribute achieving sustainable bilateral trade growth. Also agreed to conduct a Joint Study to further enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The two sides also agreed to fully leverage overland trade and exchange by upgrading facilities at Khujerab border port and strengthening cooperation on epidemic containment and customs clearance in border areas. They also agreed to work together to further strengthen the implementation of the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA), which is an important pillar of regional connectivity. Keeping in view the massive size of China’s e-commerce market and its potential to further bolster bilateral trade, the two sides welcomed the signing of an MOU on e-commerce and jointly supported the establishment of Pakistan’s country pavilions on China’s e-commerce platforms. They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation on online payment systems, logistics, warehousing and customs facilitation, and enhance collaboration In between start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Pakistan commended China’s remarkable achievement of lifting over 800 million people out of poverty. China would continue supporting and facilitating Pakistani students to study in Chinese universities. It has also been decided that both China and Pakistan would inject new impetus into people to people contacts, tourism cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries, appreciated the role of the cultural exchange between two countries. China and Pakistan further welcomed the decision to celebrate Pakistan China Year of Tourism Exchange in 2023. They also welcomed the Organization of a Gandhara Art Exhibition at the Palace Museum in Beijing in 2022-2023.The two sides agreed to further increase the frequency of direct flights including between Islamabad and Beijing in due course.
Pakistan and China also agreed to further strengthen Defence ties between the two countries. Underscoring that stronger strategic defence and security cooperation between China and Pakistan is an important factor of peace and stability in the region, the two sides agreed to maintain high-level mil-to-mil visits and exchanges and deepen cooperation in areas of training, joint exercises and military technology.