Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif calls on Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi in Beijing today.

The Chinese Foreign Minister while talking to Shahbaz Sharif said that China attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and considers every issue and problem of Pakistan as its own. He said that people of Pakistan will always find China on their side in the journey toward progress and prosperity. He said that Pakistan is moving in the right direction against terrorism and taken commendable measures against this menace. He said that government and people of China fully realize the problems of Pakistan and will continue to extend all out cooperation for their solution.

Chinese Foreign Minister further said that friendship between China and Pakistan is exemplary and the people of the two countries have deep respect for each other.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while speaking on the occasion said that the love shown by China to Pakistan on every visit is more than before. He said that Pak-China Economic Corridor has given a new dimension to relations between the two countries. He said that China is a sincere and reliable friend and has stood by Pakistan in every hour of need. He said that China and Pakistan have supported each other’s stance on regional and international affairs. He said that China has proved to be a true friend of Pakistan by extending maximum cooperation for the development of different sectors. He said that Chinese cooperation and role in the exploration of precious mineral reserves in Chiniot-Rajwa can never be forgotten.

The Chief Minister said that the ties of friendship between China and Pakistan are turning into useful economic relations during the tenure of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and new avenues of cooperation are opening in various sectors. He said that people of Pakistan are waiting for the visit of Chinese President. Matters of mutual interest, promotion of Pak-China relations and cooperation in different sectors were discussed in the meeting while it was agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile, the fourth meeting of Pak-China Economic Corridor Joint Cooperation Committee was held in Beijing, today, in which Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif also participated. Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pak-China Economic Corridor will bring about positive changes in the region. He said that the economic corridor reflect the full confidence of Chinese leaders in the present leadership of Pakistan. He said that besides accelerating economic activities, the economic corridor will also create lakhs of job opportunities. He said that the Chinese President will lay foundation stone of various projects worth billions of rupees during his visit to Pakistan. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that Pak-China Economic Corridor is beneficial for both the countries. He said that Pakistan and China should declare the next decade as the decade of Pak-China friendship.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also met Chinese experts and investors in construction sector in Beijing today. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that power houses of 3600 megawatt electricity from gas are being set up in Punjab and it will start power generation by the end of 2017. He said that federal and Punjab governments are setting up these projects from their own resources. The Chief Minister offered Chinese companies to participate in the installation and construction activities of gas-based power houses and said that the Chinese companies will be fully welcomed and provided all out protection. He said that the capacity of the terminal and gas pipeline is being increased for the import of LNG. He said that every step of the government is aimed at overcoming energy crisis being faced by Pakistan and Chinese cooperation in this regard is highly commendable.