Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday hailed fresh trade agreements between Pakistan and China as the start of the “second phase” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and vowed that the two countries won’t “tolerate any kind of obstacle” in the way of their friendship.
He passed these remarks at a ceremony in which Pakistan and China signed six agreements for the promotion of bilateral cooperation. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is in Pakistan on a three-day visit, also attended the event.
Addressing the occasion, PM Shehbaz said, “I thank the Chinese president for sending his senior official to Pakistan, expressing the solidarity of people-to-people friendship between the two countries. This gesture demonstrates the strength of our friendship.”
“I have no doubt that we are entering into the second phase of CPEC. Today, we have signed some important documents which will enhance our economic cooperation, and we will undertake the second phase under a new mode,” he told the gathering.
The PM highlighted that the agreements would lead to investments in agriculture and IT, enabling Pakistan, with China’s support, to export items according to the requirements and standards of the Chinese government
He emphasised, “The CPEC was signed by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and it was implemented promptly.”
“Today, we can claim that under the CPEC, more than $25bn investment took place in power, energy, public transport, and other sectors.”
He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese vice premier for visiting Pakistan as the two countries celebrate ten years of the CPEC.
