A delegation of Communist Party of China calls on CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: A high level delegation headed by Member of Central Committee of Communist Party of China and Party Secretary of Jilin province Bayinchaolu met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, promotion in economic and trade cooperation between Punjab and Chinese province Jilin, increasing working relationship in agriculture, industry, science and technology, auto industry and various sectors were discussed during the meeting and also agreed on the steps for increase in bilateral cooperation in various sectors to keep close contact in future.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that friendship between Pak-China has stood the test of time and the new era of economic relations between Pakistan and China has started in the tenure of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Referring to China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC), the Chief Minister said that the historic economic package given by China is a gift for Pakistan. He said that the historic economic package of 43 billion dollars during the visit of Chinese President to Pakistan is a splendid example of friendship between the two countries and people of Pakistan can never forget this favour of China.

He said that CPEC will bring prosperity not only to Pakistan but the entire region. He said that under CPEC, a huge sum of 33 billion dollars has been allocated for energy projects and projects under CPEC have been started in Punjab. He said that construction of 1320 megawatt coal power project in Sahiwal has been started and this project will start production of electricity in 2017.

Similarly, he said, 900 megawatt solar project is being set up in Bahawalpur which will be completed in 2016.

He said that Chinese companies are making investment in all these projects. He said that CPEC projects will be completed with hard work and no hurdle will be tolerated in the way of CPEC. Shehbaz Sharif said that orange line metro train project with the cooperation of China will soon be started in Lahore and this project will also be completed within stipulated period. He said that the government wants to benefit from the skill and experience of Jilin province in agriculture, auto industry, railway, metro train, manufacturing of commercial vehicles, agro based industry, training of students and other sectors especially boy and girl students can be sent to Jilin province for training in engineering and different sectors.

The Chief Minister also offered industrialists of Jilin associated with auto industry to set up manufacturing units in Punjab and assured that provincial government will extend all out cooperation in this regard. He said that the delegation of Punjab government will soon visit Jilin to consider the scope of cooperation. He said that there should be maximum exchange of delegations of two provinces for the promotion of bilateral relations and benefiting from each others’ experiences.

Member of Central Committee of Communist Party of China and Party Secretary of Jilin province Bayinchaolu said that Punjab has made a lot of progress under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and he is serving the people with commitment. He said that a number of milestones have been achieved in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He said that economic and trade relations between Jilin province and Punjab as well as in agriculture, industry, science and technology, education and other sectors will be enhanced and there should be maximum exchange of delegations for this purpose. He said that relations between Communist Party of China and Pakistan Muslim League-N should be further expanded and delegations of both the parties should visit each other’s country.

Bayinchaolu also invited Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Jilin province. The Chief Minister accepted the invitation and said that he will visit Jilin province in near future. Provincial Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Chairman Punjab Investment Board, senior officers, Consul General Yu Boren and other officials were also present on the occasion.