Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has affirmed his Government's resolve to speed up high quality development of CPEC projects and make it a symbol of China-Pakistan friendship and close partnership.
He was talking to the Charge d' Affaires of China Ms. Pang Chunxue, who paid a courtesy call on him in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister underlined the importance of enhanced investment from China in industrialization, agriculture, and digital technologies. He appreciated CPEC's continued progress as the flagship project of President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative and its importance for economic development and prosperity of Pakistan.
While conveying his warm greetings and gratitude to the Chinese leadership, the Prime Minister recalled his many visits to China, during the course of which, he had the pleasure and honour of meeting with President Xi who had taken a personal interest in promoting relations with Pakistan.
Recalling his close cooperation with China as Chief Minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China as a cornerstone of Pakistan's policy and factor for regional peace and stability. He underscored that friendship with China resides in the hearts of the people of Pakistan and China is Pakistan's strongest friend and closest partner.
The Prime Minister affirmed his government's commitment to further deepening the win-win economic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
The Charge d' Affaires conveyed warm felicitations and good wishes of the Chinese government and leadership on the assumption of office by the Prime Minister.
She emphasized that the Prime Minister was viewed as a strong and committed friend of China and enjoyed great respect and admiration in her country. She also lauded Prime Minister's contribution to promoting China-Pakistan Economic Cooperation during the years that he was Chief Minister of the Punjab province.