China with Pakistan

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https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1276628442971224

 

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Documents signed today enhance economic relations between Pakistan and China​

By Web Desk
July 31, 2023

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif receives Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng upon his arrival at Prime Minister's House in Islamabad, on July 31, 2023. — Twitter/@PakPMO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is absolutely ready to contribute towards Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of a shared destiny of progress and prosperity, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Monday during the signing ceremony of six agreements and MOUs between Pakistan and China.

These agreements aim to promote bilateral cooperation, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng — on a three-day official visit to Pakistan — was also present at the occasion.

The first document was signed by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and China's National Development and Reforms Commission Vice Chairman on the joint cooperation committee of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The second document, signed by Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and the Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reforms Commission, was related to establishing an experts' exchange mechanism within the framework of CPEC.

The third document was signed by Secretary Ministry of National Food Security Zafar Hassan and the Chinese Charge D'Affaires Pang Chunxue to export dried Chillies from Pakistan to China.

Member Planning of National Highway Authority Asim Amin and Chunxue signed the fourth document on the realignment of the Karakoram Highway Phase II project feasibility study.

The two sides also signed the MOU on Industrial Workers' Exchange Program through diplomatic channels.

The two sides agreed to promote the strategic ML-1 project.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the documents signed today aimed at further enhancing economic relations between Pakistan and China.

The Prime Minister said under the CPEC, more than twenty-five billion dollars' worth of investment has taken place in Pakistan's power and hydel sector, road infrastructure and public transport.

He said we are now entering the second phase of the CPEC, which will envisage investments in sectors such as agriculture and information technology.

He said both the ML-1 and the Karachi circular railway projects are of immense importance, expressing the confidence that both sides will successfully achieve these and many other projects.

He was confident that this would help Pakistan stand on its own feet. He said we would emulate the Chinese development model to achieve peace and prosperity in the country.

The Prime Minister said both Pakistan and China enjoy a unique relationship. He said we are all-weather friends, iron brothers, and this friendship will continue and will not tolerate any obstacles.

 

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President Dr Arif Alvi conferring the award of Hilal-e-Pakistan upon the Special Representative of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Vice-Premier of the State Council of China, Mr He Lifeng, at a special investiture ceremony, held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

 

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SBP to issue Rs100 commemorative coin to mark 10th anniversary of CPEC​

• Says CPEC has contributed greatly to Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic development since its inception in 2013

BR

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will issue a Rs100 commemorative coin to mark the 10th anniversary of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it said on Thursday.

The coin to be issued through the exchange counters of SBP Banking Services Corporation from August 11, 2023.

“The China Pakistan Economic Corridor has contributed greatly to Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic development since its decade of inception in 2013,” the central bank said.

To mark the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the CPEC, the government had decided to issue a commemorative coin of Rs100, it added.

As per details, the coin is in round shape milled with serrations on the edge, diameter of 30.00mm, weight 13.5 grams, and has Cupro-Nickel metal contents (Copper 75% & Nickel 25%).

Over the decade, according to Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan and China have developed strong bonds in diverse fields and call themselves “iron brothers”.

“Chinese president gave the concept of the CPEC during his visit to Pakistan and subsequently, a memorandum of understanding was signed to implement it,” the minister said speaking on a gathering back in June to mark 10-year celebrations of the CPEC.

China had asked Pakistan to make a roadmap, the country became the largest investor in Pakistan after three years, he added.

 

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Pakistan, China hold bilateral consultations on nonproliferation, arms control​

• The two sides agree to increase the strategic outreach between the think tanks and research institutions of their respective countries

The 8th round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control and Non-Proliferation took place in Beijing on Thursday, discussing regional and global security issues, APP reported.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release that Mohammad Kamran Akhtar, Additional Secretary (Arms Control & Disarmament/Policy Planning) from Pakistan, and Sun Xiaobo, Director General, Department of Arms Control, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, led their respective delegations.

 

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Welcome to the new Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan ...

 

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Huawei CEO expresses interest in investment during meeting with interim PM Kakar​

BR
September 6, 2023

A delegation of Huawei Pakistan, led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ethan Sun, called on caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday and discussed prospects of investment in Pakistan.

During the meeting, Ethan Sun informed the PM that the company was interested in investing in Pakistan’s Information Technology (IT) sector, which the prime minister appreciated.

 

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Pakistan will always be 'high priority' for China, says envoy​

China's development will 'undoubtedly create new opportunities' for bilateral cooperation, says Jiang Zaidong

 

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Pakistan, China to deepen cooperation​

Will sign deals for developing mineral sector, promoting green economy

Shahbaz Rana
October 17, 2023

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s visit to Beijing can reenergise bilateral economic relations, as China has shown interest in signing agreements for deepening cooperation in mineral sector development, green economy and research on major issues for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The areas that Beijing has highlighted for future cooperation will shift Pakistan’s usual emphasis on the traditional energy and brick-and-mortar projects.

The two-day visit of PM Kakar, which began on Monday, can prove pivotal in taking advantage of the world’s second-largest economy, including benefiting from its research.

Sources told The Express Tribune that Beijing shared its list of priorities with Islamabad before the visit of premier Kakar.

If agreed upon and implemented, these areas of cooperation could integrate the country with the BRI, said government sources. They said that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) proposed to sign one agreement and seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the PM’s visit.

The premier is accompanied by a high-level delegation including members of the cabinet and senior government officials.

Privatisation Minister and former focal person on CPEC Fawad Hasan Fawad said last week that Islamabad had failed to take even 20% benefit from the BRI and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The 11th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee had also proved disappointing for Pakistan, as Beijing did not accept many demands for further investment.

The list of the agreement and MoUs suggests that China wants to focus on high-return areas, particularly the ones that are more relevant to the modern era.

China conveyed its willingness to sign the agreements during the PM’s visit, said the sources. It has proposed to sign an agreement on mineral sector development and industrial cooperation under CPEC. It is also keen on signing the Research of the Routes for Industrial Cooperation under CPEC.

There is another proposal for finalising the work plan on the China-Pakistan expert exchange mechanism. China has also proposed to sign an MoU on the expert communication mechanism for Gwadar Port development.

The port still remains underdeveloped and lacks basic facilities despite being a high priority for Beijing.

Sources said that China showed its willingness to sign an MoU for deepening research on major issues of Belt and Road cooperation and ink an MoU on cooperation in urban sustainable development.

An MoU on cooperation in green and low-carbon development and another on strengthening cooperation in digital economy could be signed.

However, Pakistan’s priorities included the framework agreement on Mainline-I (ML-I) project for firming up its design and scope, framework agreement on Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) and some road and energy projects.

Pakistan received only $25 billion in investment against the announcement of $62 billion under CPEC and one of the reasons for the low investment was its failure to set up Special Economic Zones, according to Fawad Hasan Fawad.

Sources said that the Chinese were keen to build upon the understanding reached during the visit of ex-PM Shehbaz Sharif in November last year about accelerating cooperation in mining and industrial sectors.

China has proposed to sign an agreement for in-depth cooperation in the fields of geology, mineral resources investigation, evaluation and development, mineral products development, processing and trade and investment promotion.

Beijing is proposing joint geological and mineral surveys and digital geological mapping. The focus is proposed to be on provinces that are rich in mineral resources.

China has offered technical training for Pakistani personnel in geological and mineral surveys and resources assessment, according to the sources.

Both sides will cover their own costs in cases where no Chinese grant is available. The agreement is proposed to be signed for five years, according to the sources.

China has also proposed to sign an MoU for green and low-carbon development, particularly in areas of ecological civilisation development. They would work to keep the global average temperature to less than 2-degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The MoU may also emphasise the need for cooperation in green development concepts, policies, measures and exchange of practical experiences.

China wants cooperation in energy saving and conservation, dealing with plastic pollution issues and implementing guidelines for reduction of food losses and waste.

There is also a proposal for signing the MoU for strengthening the digital economy through coordination of policies and building digital infrastructure platforms. China has been emphasising the digital transformation of traditional industries such as agriculture, manufacturing and services.

A statement from the PM Office said that the prime minister would attend the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum and address the high-level forum titled “Connectivity in an Open Global Economy” to be held on October 18.

The PM will hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and Li Xi, member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of CPC Central Committee.

The leaders will discuss all facets of bilateral relations, with particular focus on strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

While in China, the PM will meet with leading Chinese entrepreneurs and preside over an interactive roundtable on CPEC to explore new avenues for strengthening trade and investment ties between Pakistan and China.

The PM’s visit comes in the backdrop of ongoing celebrations marking 10 years of CPEC, the flagship project of BRI.

 

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Now is the time to further strengthen Pak-China friendship, says PM Kakar​

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said on Friday that now was the time to further the friendship between Pakistan and China.

“In Pakistan, we say a good neighbour is a treasure. In this regard, we are very fortunate to have China as a good brother, good neighbour, good partner and a good friend.

“Now is the time to further strengthen this friendship. Together, let us chart a new course of peace, prosperity and win-win development,” Kakar said. He made the remarks while addressing students and faculty at Xinjiang University in China’s Urumqi.

 

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PM returns from China with more pacts under his belt​

Syed Irfan Raza
October 21, 2023

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar leaves for Islamabad after concluding his China visit. — PID photo

Islamabad and Beijing ink over 20 agreements, covering areas from currency swapping to building a research station on the moon’s south pole.

Although both sides vowed to cement ties in various fields, especially for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), President Xi Jinping sought guarantees from Islamabad regarding security of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan.

The agreements signed cover round-the-year functioning of the Khunjerab border crossing, coordination on Afghan issue, close trust and coordination between their armed forces, peace talks between Palestine and Israel, currency swapping, partnership on building a research station on moon’s south pole, infrastructure, mining, industry, green and low-carbon development, health, digital economy, development cooperation and export of agricultural products to China.

According to a joint statement issued at the conclusion of PM Kakar’s visit, the two sides reaffirmed support for each other on issues pertaining to their respective core interests.

The Pakistani side reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China Principle and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and Pakistan firmly supports Beijing’s efforts to achieve national reunification, and opposes any form of “Taiwan independence”.

Lunar programme

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and PM Kakar also witnessed the signing of an initial cooperation agreement on the moon programme in Beijing on Wednesday.

The China National Space Administration on Friday said cooperation on building the research station would cover areas such as engineering and operational aspects of the Chinese lunar base programme.

Recognising the significance of Gwadar Port as an important node in cross-regional connectivity, the two sides agreed to speed up development of the port and its auxiliary projects. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, industrial sector and mining, geological survey, joint research on geology and minerals, training of talent, and planning of mining industrial parks.

Under the $65 billion CPEC, both sides decided to keep the Khunjerab border open throughout the year. The border remains closed due to harsh weather in winter.

The two sides reviewed with satisfaction the progress on the desalination plant, the New Gwadar International Airport, the Pak-China Friendship Hospital and other projects. Both sides reiterated their resolve to make Gwadar a high-quality port, a regional trade hub and a connectivity node.

The Chinese side expressed willingness to support Pakistan in expanding exports to China. They signed protocols on the export of heated beef, dried chilli, fresh cherries and dairy products from Pakistan to China.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with cooperation on Currency Swap Agreement and Renminbi settlement, and agreed to strengthen financial and banking cooperation.

Security of Chinese

China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan but both separatist and militants have attacked Chinese projects over recent years, killing Chinese personnel.

China is willing to strengthen cooperation and promote solidarity with Pakistan in a multiple fields but has urged it to guarantee the safety of Chinese organisations and personnel working there, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

“We hope the Pakistani side will guarantee the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan,” the ministry cited President Xi as telling caretaker PM Kakar during a meeting on Thursday.