PM Imran Khan reaches Beijing for 2nd China visit + keynote speech at Belt & Road Conference

[Clutch]

PM Imran reaches Beijing for second official visit of China

Sanaullah Khan | Dawn.comUpdated April 25, 2019
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
44

Prime Minister Imran Khan pictured upon his arrival in Beijing. — PM Office

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday reached Beijing for his four-day official tour of China to "take the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership [between the two countries] to new heights", said an official statement.

It marks the premier's second official visit to the country since coming into power. His first visit had come in November last year, following which China's President Xi Jinping had invited him again to attend the second Belt and Road Forum, which kicks off in Beijing on Friday.

The prime minister is pictured receiving a bouquet of flowers at the airport. — PM Office


Upon arrival in Beijing, the prime minister was received by Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal Committee of CPPCC, Li Lifeng, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, and Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Masood Khalid.

The premier was accompanied by Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Faisal Vawda, Advisor on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, and Chairman Task Force on Science & Technology Dr Atta ur Rehman.

"China is our closest friend and 'iron brother'," Prime Minister Imran had said prior to his departure. "I look forward to meeting my good friends President Xi and Premier Li for an in-depth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest."

The prime minister said that the Pak-China ties do not merely arise out of a "convergence of interests" but are rooted in past shared experiences and a "high-level of mutual trust and understanding".

"This friendship is ingrained in the hearts and minds of our people. It would remain unaffected by any regional and international developments," he added.

The premier also thanked China "for its strong and unequivocal support to Pakistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity", vowing that Pakistan too "will continue to stand by China on all issues of its core interest".

Furthermore, the prime minister said he "strongly endorses China’s vision of a peaceful world based on win-win cooperation and community of shared destiny and a new model of development envisioned in President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative".

Speaking about the second phase of the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), PM Imran noted that the two countries "are jointly focusing on socio-economic development, job creation, as well as livelihood, agriculture and industrial projects, including Special Economic Zones".

"I am strongly committed to further strengthening [the] Pakistan-China relationship. I am confident that my visit will be instrumental in further expanding the scope and depth of our bilateral ties," he added.

PM's engagements
The prime minister is due to deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum on Friday, according to various media reports.

He will also attend a 'Leaders' Roundtable' with representatives from around 38 countries, Radio Pakistan reported.

PM Imran will also hold discussions with several heads of state and government, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, as well as corporate and business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum, the national broadcaster added.

The two countries are set to sign several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements "to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse areas", the publication said.

The premier is also set to address a Pakistan Business and Investment Forum on Sunday, which is expected to be attended by several prominent Pakistani and Chinese businessmen.

Additionally, he will take part in the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition alongside other world leaders.

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Too much is kept a secret from Pakistani public regarding CPEC.

He said he'd being more transparency but he's hasn't done it so far.

 

[Indus Pakistan]

He said he'd being more transparency but he's hasn't done it so far.

You can't do this without Chinese agreement. They like doing things behind closed doors. I suppose you could let the details out in public but rest assured that would be it with Chinese. So unless Pakistan wants to give up working with China the game is going to be played to Beijings rules. There is always option of going to USA I suppose ..

 

[maithil]

Received by deputy mayor of Beijing. Interesting.

 

[GeraltofRivia]

Warmly welcome PM Imran Khan to China!

You can't do this without Chinese agreement. They like doing things behind closed doors. I suppose you could let the details out in public but rest assured that would be it with Chinese. So unless Pakistan wants to give up working with China the game is going to be played to Beijings rules. There is always option of going to USA I suppose ..

I always think that common people should be informed with high level information but not the technical details or things of strategic value. We should be concerned with tactical issues and let the government officials who are empowered to act on behalf of general public to deal with the things at strategic level.

 

[Clutch]

PM Khan calls for tackling climate change, poverty as Pakistan, China enter next CPEC phase

Dawn.comUpdated April 26, 2019
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
8

Prime Minister Imran Khan delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. ─ DawnNewsTV

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Friday called for greater attention towards tackling climate change and poverty as Pakistan and China enter the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The prime minister appreciated the significance of the China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as it "marks a new and distinct phase in the onward march of nations in the world along the path of globalisation".

"The presence of so many world leaders today is proof that we choose hope over despair and cooperation over confrontation. 122 states and 49 international organisations have signed onto the BRI's vision and this is a historic and monumental development," he pointed out.

"The BRI offers a model of partnership, collaboration, connectivity and shared prosperity," the prime minister told the audience. "Pakistan is proud to have partnered with China in this transformative endeavour. We have been among BRI's earliest and most enthusiastic proponents," he said.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
"The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, one of the BRI's major components ─ and one of its earliest manifestations ─ has made substantial progress. Pakistan's energy supplies have increased massively, critical infrastructure gaps are being plugged, Gwadar ─ once a small fishing village ─ is transforming rapidly into a commercial hub. The Gwadar airport will be the largest in our country," he told his audience.

He informed the audience that special economic zones being set up along the CPEC offer investment opportunities for Pakistani, Chinese and foreign entrepreneurs and invited them to "avail Pakistan's liberal foreign investment regime and participate in our economy, in particular infrastructure, railways, dams, IT and manufacturing."

"Together Pakistan and China are entering the next phase of CPEC, with greater emphasis on socioeconomic uplift," he said, adding that the next phase would be "supplemented" by the signing of an expanded Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement.

He added that Pakistan wants to promote cooperation with China in agriculture, health and education sectors.

"We are changing Pakistan's economic landscape and Insha Allah, the destiny of our people. I want to thank China and its leadership for their unwavering support for Pakistan," he said.

Prime Minister Imran suggested that, as the BRI takes on a more concrete shape, world leaders direct their efforts and focus onto the people of their countries by addressing impediments in the path towards sustainable growth.

He suggested collaboration on five points: mitigating the adverse effects of climate change by launching an ambitious tree-planting project; establishing a BRI tourism corridor; establishing an office for anti-corruption cooperation; creating a poverty alleviation fund; further trade liberalisation and encouraging private sector investment.

Xi's address
Chinese President Xi Jinping in his keynote address at the three-day forum said that the joint construction of the Belt and Road has opened up new space for the world's economic growth, Radio Pakistanreported.

He said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) had also created a new platform to boost international trade and investment, expand new practices to optimise global economic governance, and make new contributions to improving the wellbeing of people of all countries.

The Chinese president said that Beijing would negotiate and sign high-standard Free Trade Agreements with more countries, and that it would allow foreign investors to operate businesses in more sectors with a controlling or full stake.

He said that China would work with other parties to promote a coalition of sustainable cities and an international coalition for green development under BRI.

PM's agenda in China
The prime minister arrived in China yesterday on a four-day official visit. According to the Foreign Office, he will attend a world leaders’ meeting representing around 38 countries. He will also speak in the first session of the leaders’ meeting, and hold meetings with several heads of states/governments and corporate and business leaders on the sidelines of the BRF.

In addition to participating in the Belt and Road Forum, the premier will hold bilateral meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Pakistan and China will also sign several memoranda of understanding and agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse areas.

After the forum, the prime minister will address a Pakistan business and investment forum on April 28. Prominent Pakistani and Chinese businessmen will attend the event.

The prime minister will also participate in the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition along with President Xi and other world leaders.

More details to follow.

 

[Clutch]

World Bank CEO pledges to 'further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan'
Mohammad ImranApril 26, 2019
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
0

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva on Friday pledged to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in the areas of disbursements programme lending and guarantees provision for raising external funds, in a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing. — Photo provided by author

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva on Friday pledged to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in the areas of 'disbursements programme lending' and 'guarantees provision for raising external funds' , according to a press release received by Dawn.com.

The pledge was made in a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing.

According to the press release, issued by the Pakistani embassy in Beijing, the premier was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the PM's Adviser on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, and Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood for his meeting with the World Bank CEO.

PM Imran informed the World Bank CEO of recent steps taken by the government to improve the economic and fiscal situation of Pakistan.

As per the press release, he appreciated the role played by the World Bank in "regional connectivity, poverty alleviation, financial management, provisional projects, Dasu and other infrastructure projects and ease of doing business."

Additionally, the premier told Georgieva about the socio-economic uplift measures that the government has taken and about the creation of 'Ehsas', the PTI's flagship social welfare programme.

Read: 'Ehsas': PM Khan launches ambitious social safety, poverty alleviation programme

The premier also met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde on the sidelines of the BRF.


PTI

✔@PTIofficial
https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1121729649309093888

Prime Minister Imran Khan meets Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ms. Christine Lagarde on the side lines of 2nd BRF at Beijing, China.@ImranKhanPTI #Pakistan

#China

671
4:56 AM - Apr 26, 2019

146 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy




The prime minister had arrived in China yesterday on a four-day official visit. Earlier today in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second BRF, he called for greater attention towards tackling climate change and poverty as Pakistan and China enter the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

 

[Clutch]

Pakistan, China to revive cooperation for investment promotion

Amin AhmedUpdated April 27, 2019
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
1

BoI would encourage Chinese investors for investment as Pakistan was planning to develop new special economic zones.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China agreed on Friday to revive cooperation between the Chinese Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) and the Board of Investment (BoI) to ensure investment promotion in prioritised sectors of information technology, textiles and agro-based products.

BoI Chairman Haroon Sharif, who is in Beijing as part of prime minister’s delegation to participate in the second Belt and Road Forum, met Liu Dianxun, Director-General of Investment Promotion Agency of the Chinese ministry of commerce, and discussed the revival of a memorandum of understanding signed between BoI and CIPA in the past. Both sides agreed to revive the cooperation.

Mr Sharif informed CIPA Chief Dianxun that BoI would encourage Chinese investors for investment as Pakistan was planning to develop new special economic zones in addition to already notified seven special economic zones.

“The development of Rashakai special economic zones is a milestone and a first step towards implementation of industrial cooperation under CPEC. Industrial cooperation was prioritised by the present government with a goal to start implementation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) this year,” Mr Sharif informed his Chinese counterpart.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD
He said that BOI had received concrete investment proposals from local and foreign investors who were interested in investing in Pakistan’s priority sectors having immense potential for investment; agro-based food and industry, value-added textile, tourism and hospitality, information technology sector, light engineering, and logistics.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2019

 

[Clutch]

___________________________


Prime Minister
Imran calls for creation of tourism corridor between BRI countries

Mohammad ImranUpdated April 27, 2019
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
14

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged for the creation of a tourism corridor between member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in order to promote regional connectivity. — Photo courtesy PTI Official Twitter

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged for the creation of a tourism corridor between member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in order to promote regional connectivity. — Photo courtesy PID Twitter

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged for the creation of a tourism corridor between member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in order to promote regional connectivity. — Photo courtesy PTI Official Twitter

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged for the creation of a tourism corridor between member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in order to promote regional connectivity. — Photo courtesy PID Twitter

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged for the creation of a tourism corridor between member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in order to promote regional connectivity. — Photo courtesy PTI Official Twitter


Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday urged for the creation of a tourism corridor between member countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in order to promote regional connectivity.

While addressing a leaders' round table conference in China, the prime minister congratulated President Xi Jinping on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and said that China is an example of "a great success of the modern age".

He suggested that members of the BRI should:

• Establish a BRI Tourism Corridor for cultural and tourism exchanges.
• Develop programmes for improving the skills of labour from labour-surplus countries to assist the labour-deficient countries.
• Create multi-lingual digital platforms for connecting producers, consumers, and skilled job-seekers.

View image on Twitter


Govt of Pakistan

✔@pid_gov

Prime Minister Imran Khan suggests to further boost connectivity & benefits under the BRI umbrella during his Speech at the Leader's roundtable session of 2nd Belt & Road Forum 2019 at International Convention Center Yanqi Lake Beijing, China.

#BeltandRoadForum #CPEC #BRF2019


188
1:40 AM - Apr 27, 2019

50 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy




While explaining to the members of the conference the ties Pakistan and China have cultivated through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that "to further boost connectivity and benefits under the Belt Road Initiative's umbrella" digital connectivity amongst member countries is key.

The other areas stressed by the premier to strengthen the ties formed through the BRI included mobility of labour, cultivation of cultural links and connectivity through knowledge and innovation.



Govt of Pakistan

✔@pid_gov

Prime Minister Imran Khan participates in Leader's Roundtable Session of 2nd BRF at International Convention Center, Yanqi Lake Beijing, China. #Pakistan

#China

#CPEC #BRF2019 #BeltandRoad


752
1:03 AM - Apr 27, 2019

187 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy




Imran said the connectivity of Gwadar Port with China’s Xinjiang region will "provide a shorter route for China’s imports compared to the South China Sea, reduce the cost for Chinese companies, and develop western China as well".

He emphasised that "CPEC is not a transaction. It is a transformation of our society."

On Friday, in his speech at the inaugural session of the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) in Beijing, Prime Minister Imran had said: “As the Belt and Road Initiative takes a further concrete shape, I suggest we direct our efforts and focus on the peoples of our countries, and towards addressing impediments on their way to sustainable growth”.

Prime Minister Imran is among the 37 heads of state and government participating in the second edition of BRF, which is a platform for BRI partners to come together for reviewing their cooperation under the programme and charting the roadmap for future. As many as 122 states and 49 international organisations are part of Chinese BRI.




Govt of Pakistan

✔@pid_gov

Second Belt and Road Forum; Session-1 Leader's Roundtable.#PMImranKhanInChina #BeltandRoad #BRF2019 #CPEC


468
11:18 PM - Apr 26, 2019

105 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy




The five-point action plan proposed by the prime minister included joint efforts for mitigating climate change, establishing a BRI tourism corridor for promoting people-to-people contacts and inter-cultural understanding, setting up an office of anti-corruption cooperation, creating a poverty alleviation fund, and further liberalising trade and investment flows by encouraging private sector and businesses to collaborate in projects.

Prime Minister Imran's proposals reflected Pakistan government’s priorities and he recalled his administration’s massive tree plantation drive and efforts for alleviating poverty, including the launch of the Ehsas programme. Some of the proposals also reflected Chinese priorities as Beijing seeks to enhance the ‘quality of cooperation’ under the BRI.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1122007015981813760

 

[Clutch]

PM Khan meets Chinese President Xi in Beijing
Dawn.comApril 28, 2019
Facebook Count
Twitter Share
0

Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands in Beijing. ─ Photo courtesy PID

Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday, the last day of his four-day official visit.

Prior to his meeting with President Xi, the prime minister and his delegation met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and discussed bilateral issues and regional matters. Delegation-level talks were held with both Chinese leaders.

A diplomat speaking to Dawn earlier said that the discussions between Prime Minister Imran and President Xi will be very specific about what has to be done by the two countries under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He added that industrial cooperation would be the most important element of the next stage of CPEC.

Prime Minister Imran and Premier Keqiang also signed the Main Line-1 railways agreement today, Radio Pakistan reported.

Under the project, a double railway track will be laid from Peshawar to Karachi. The speed of trains on the new track will be around 160 kilometres per hour, according to Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid.

'Next stage of CPEC'
Prime Minister Imran began the bilateral component of his trip to China with a meeting with Vice President Wang Qishan in which he was accompanied by his delegation.

The bilateral discussions are focused on the next stage of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in which the Chinese government has agreed to adjust the project according to the priorities of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government, which assumed office last year after the general elections.

In what is being described as the “next stage of CPEC”, industrial cooperation in the shape of development of special economic zones would come into spotlight and private sector investment and joint ventures would be encouraged.

China will, in the next stage of CPEC, also commit to social sector cooperation for which it will be investing $1 billion in 27 education, health, agriculture, water and irrigation, human resource development and poverty alleviation projects. An agreement on social sector cooperation will be signed during PM Khan’s visit.

Moreover, the second stage Pak-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will also be signed under which China will open up 90 per cent of its market for Pakistani goods in an effort to address trade imbalance. Pakistan’s trade deficit with China last year stood at $9.7bn. China, the largest trade partner of Pakistan, was then exporting goods worth $11.458bn to Pakistan while Pakistani exports to China were valued at $1.744bn.

It is estimated that the new FTA would increase Pakistani exports by $500 million. The agreement is being concluded after protracted negotiations spanning over nearly seven years.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1122359650941382656