ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay his first official visit toChina from Nov 2 to 5 at the invitation of the Chinese leadership anddiscuss whole range of bilateral issues besides inking a number ofagreements, the Foreign Office announced.
During the visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold meetings with ChinesePresident Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang and review the entire range ofbilateral relations which have enjoyed a long history of mutual trust andmutual support.
This will be the first official visit of the Prime Minister to China afterassuming office in August 2018. He will be accompanied by a high-leveldelegation including the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The visit signifies the closeness and traditional warmth whichcharacterises Pakistan-China all weather strategic cooperative partnership.Both sides will sign several Agreement/MoU of Cooperation in diversefields, the Foreign Office said.
After his visit to Beijing, the Prime Minister will visit Shanghai toparticipate in First China International Import Expo in Shanghai, wherePakistan is exhibiting a wide range of export products.
The PM will be a key note speaker at the inauguration of the Expo. On thesidelines of Shanghai Forum, Prime Minister will hold meetings with otherworld leaders. He will also hold meetings with leaders of Chinese financialand corporate sector.
The traditionally close, cooperative and friendly ties between Pakistan andChina are based on shared principles and mutual interests entailing closecooperation in diverse fields. Both countries maintain close and regularstrategic communication for promotion of regional peace and stability andeconomic cooperation.
Economic and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China expandedsignificantly after the establishment of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.Prime Minister’s visit is expected to provide further impetus to enhancingthe existing strategic ties between Pakistan and China and break newgrounds for broadening the bilateral partnership.
PM Imran Khan emphasised following an integrated approach for conservation,storage, management and efficient utilisation of the available waterresources. Pointing out that no significant attention was paid towater-related issues in past, he underscored the need for chalking out acomprehensive roadmap, in consultation with provinces and otherstakeholders, for the implementation of National Water Policy (NWP).
He highlighted the issue of water scarcity to meet the growing demands ofincreasing population of the country. He observed that NWC would serve asan effective platform to discuss and develop consensus among thestakeholders on all issues pertaining to water resource management.
Secretary Water Resources Shamail Ahmad Khwaja briefed the meeting, indetail, about the contours of NWP and the strategic priorities set in thepolicy. Wapda chairman briefed the meeting about the progress on variousprojects of water storage and power generation.
The meeting was attended by various ministers and officials concerned.Meanwhile, PM Imran Khan Thursday stressed that ease of doing business inPakistan was essential to eliminating unemployment and poverty from thecountry.
Addressing a ceremony to mark the first joint venture between China and theprivate sector, PM Khan said Pakistan had a young population who are insearch for jobs. “With investment, unemployment will come down. Ourgovernment’s policy is simple. To remove hurdles for investors andbusinesses.”
Speaking on his upcoming visit to China, the prime minister said his focuswould be on the transfer of technology and growing the investment and traderelationship with Beijing through CPEC.
The prime minister added that the government’s initiative to build 5million homes for low-income groups will also be a focus of discussions,adding he was hoping to secure investment for this in China.
“We are looking forward to going to China next week and hope to strengthenour trade, business ties. We look forward to CPEC becoming a base to buildour future relationship.”
During the visit the two sides will review the entire range of bilateralrelations which have enjoyed a long history of mutual trust and mutualsupport. The two sides will also sign several agreements in diverse fields,the statement added.
Earlier, addressing the inauguration of the US$200 million GlassManufacturing Complex to be built in Pakistan by Deli China & JW Sez Group,Imran Khan said his government was committed to removing all impediments inthe way of doing business and making Pakistan an attractive place forinvestments, particularly by the foreign entrepreneurs.
He said it was the first Joint Venture between the two countries under theChina Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Imran Khan appreciated the effortsof JW- SEZ Group for bringing Chinese investment to Pakistan.
He expressed the belief that this investment would boost foreign investors’confidence in Pakistan. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing termed thejoint venture beginning of cooperation between the two private sectors andsaid his country was eagerly looking forward to the visit of Prime MinisterImran Khan.