Punjab-Sichuan province inching closer  

Punjab-Sichuan province inching closer  

LAHORE: (APP) Chinese delegation led by Vice Governor of Sichuan Province, Yang Xingping met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here Thursday.

Matters for enhancing cooperation between Punjab government and Chinese province Sichuan in education, health, culture, information technology, infrastructure, agriculture and other sectors were discussed in the meeting.

Both the leaders agreed upon taking speedy measures for promoting cooperation between the Punjab government and Sichuan province in different sectors while Vice Governor Sichuan expressed interest in opening an institute after great Chinese Philosopher Confucius in Lahore.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that friendship of Pakistan and China was priceless in the world and Chinese President Xi Jinping had given a historic investment package for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

He said, "Chinese President has told the world nations that the solution to problems lies in dialogue and trade and economic relations."

He said the great vision of one belt one road of Chinese President would prove useful in linking countries of the region with one another.

He said people of Pakistan had started benefiting from the fruits of CPEC. He said the entire nation had become aware of the importance of CPEC project.

Shehbaz Sharif said work was being carried out speedily on energy, infrastructure and other projects under CPEC in Pakistan, adding, "Our friends are happy over CPEC."

He said thousands of megawatt electricity would be generated with the completion of energy projects under CPEC and world would benefit when Gwadar Port would become operational.

He said the Punjab government had sent students to China on its own expenses for learning Chinese language and expressed hope that more students would soon visit China in this regard.

The Chief Minister stressed upon the need of taking immediate steps for increasing cooperation between Chinese Province Sichuan and the Punjab government in trade, economic and other sectors.

He said soon a delegation of the Punjab government would visit Sichuan for increasing cooperation in education and other sectors.

Vice Governor Sichuan said all out steps would be taken for increasing cooperation with the Punjab government in different sectors and would welcome the students of Punjab in universities of Sichuan.

He said his government wanted to start air service between Chengdu, city of Sichuan and Lahore. He said there was a great potential in agriculture of Punjab and cooperation could also be enhanced in this sector.

He expressed resolve to make Confucius Institute in Lahore and a close cooperation would be extended to the Punjab government for enhancing cooperation in different sectors.

The Chinese delegation included Vice Secretary General Sichuan Province and other senior officials. Chinese Consul General in Lahore, Yu Boren was also present on the occasion.