Shahbaz Sharif meets deputy prime minister of China Zhang Gaoli in Beijing

Lahore: Deputy Prime Minister of China Zhang Gaoli has expressed willingness to set up a high level committee under his chairmanship for the supervision of under-construction development projects with Chinese investment in Pakistan.

He was talking to Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif during a meeting in Great Hall, Beijing today. Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistani Ambassador in China Masood Khalid, Special Representative of Prime Minister Zafar Mehmood, Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafiq and Chairman Lahore Transport Company Kh. Ahmad Hasaan were also present on the occasion. It may be mentioned that the proposal to set up a high level committee in this regard was given by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.

Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli while talking to Shahbaz Sharif said that he will personally monitor the projects being implemented with Chinese cooperation in Pakistan and the proposed committee will include senior officials of financial institutions and different departments of China. He said that various development projects are being executed in different countries with the cooperation of China but the cooperation of China with Pakistan is unprecedented.

The Chinese Deputy Prime Minister further said that China is extending full cooperation to Pakistan in energy, transport, infrastructure, health and other sectors. He said that China- Pak Economic Corridor will establish economic and trade contact of Pakistan not only with China but 60 other countries as well. He also extended good wishes for Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for his efforts for the welfare of the masses. He further said that Punjab is fortunate as it has a tireless and hardworking leader like Shehbaz Sharif. He also appreciated the progress on the projects being executed with Chinese cooperation in Punjab.

The Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the leadership and the people of Pakistan will come up to the expectations of the Chinese leadership with regard to historic economic package. He said that the projects with Chinese cooperation will be completed through round the clock hard work. He further said that the recent visit of Chinese President to Pakistan has taken Pakistan-China friendship to new heights. The meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister of China and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was scheduled for half an hour but it continued for more than one and a half hours.

The Chief Minister also held a meeting with the President of China Exim Bank, Li Ruogu during which it was agreed to provide funds expeditiously to the Chinese companies investing in Pakistan.

The Chief Minister while speaking on the occasion expressed the confidence that there will be no shortage of resources for Chinese investors. He said that no compromise will be made on the standard, transparency and speedy completion of the projects being set up with the cooperation of China. He said that the coal-based power projects being set up in Sahiwal with the cooperation of China are being speedily implemented while work is being carried out on other projects as well and he is personally monitoring the progress.

He said that all out measures have been made for the timely completion of these projects. President Li Ruogu said that funds are being provided for Chinese projects on emergent basis. He assured Shahbaz Sharif said that provision of resources is being ensured at the earliest and maximum cooperation will be extended in this regard. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that special development package of China reflects complete confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier, a high level delegation of Shandong province of China led by Deputy Governor Xia Zing met Shahbaz Sharif in Beijing and offered to declare Shandong and Punjab twine provinces.

Talking to the Deputy Governor of Shandong province, Shahbaz Sharif said that making Shandong a twine province of Punjab is an honour and Punjab can learn a lot from a developed province like Shandong.