No one can harm Pak-China friendship:CM Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that relations between Pakistan and China are based on sound foundations of mutual trust and sincerity and no power on earth can harm Pak-China friendship.

He was talking to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing today. The Chief Minister said that China has supported Pakistan in every hour of need and the people of Pakistan are proud of their friendship with China spanning over 60 years. He also thanked Chinese government and people for extending him and his delegation a warm welcome. He said that the basic purpose of his visit to China is to seek cooperation in energy sector and he is confident that people of Pakistan will be rid of load-shedding with the cooperation of Chinese government and investors. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while speaking on the occasion said that Pak-China relations have stood the test of time. He said that Pakistani President is the first foreign head of the state to visit China after the arrival of the new year. He said that China highly values its friendship with Pakistan.

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan fully supports one-China policy of China and like Chinese leadership, wants to see this region free from violence and terrorism. He said that Pakistan has fought three wars with India which gave nothing but poverty, hunger and backwardness to the two countries. He said that the proposed economic corridor is of high importance for Pakistan and is on the top of agenda of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif also met Chinese Vice Minister for trade. Chinese Minister said that Pakistan is not merely neighbor of China but a great friend. The Chief Minister also met Chairman of Export and Import Bank of China, Li Ruogu. During the meeting the bank authorities expressed willingness towards making heavy investment in the production of coal fired and solar energy.

The Chief Minister said that the projects to be executed with Chinese cooperation will be completed speedily. The Chief Minister also addressed a meeting of the committee of joint cooperation of Pakistani and Chinese governments. He stressed the importance of Chinese cooperation in energy and infrastructure sectors. Later, Shahbaz Sharif attended a dinner hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping.