PM Kakar’s visit to China will cement Pakistan-China friendship further: FM Jilani

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s visit to China will cement the Pakistan-China friendship further.

Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan, is embarking on a visit to Beijing, China, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping tomorrow (October 17).

This visit is in connection with the third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference here, Jalil Abbas Jilani mentioned that the Prime Minister’s participation in the forum will involve addressing a high-level gathering with the theme of “Connectivity in an Open Global Economy.”

This visit is significant as it offers an opportunity to assess the extensive spectrum of cooperation between Pakistan and China, particularly within the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative, which is now celebrating its ten-year anniversary, he added.

The Foreign Minister elaborated that during this visit, the Prime Minister was scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, along with other prominent figures attending the third Belt and Road Forum.

He informed that the Prime Minister will engage with Chinese business leaders, including heads of major corporations, to explore potential areas of cooperation and potential joint ventures in Pakistan.

FM Jilani also highlighted the expected signing of numerous agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during this visit.

These MoUs are likely to span various sectors, such as agriculture, health, industry, green energy, and space technology, he remarked.

The Foreign Minister stressed that this visit aims to strengthen the already robust bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.

“It provides an excellent opportunity to comprehensively review the entirety of their cooperation, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,” he explained.

In addition to the activities in Beijing, the Prime Minister is set to visit Xinjiang, a vital region in China and a central component of the CPEC.

Xinjiang holds significance as it borders Pakistan and connects China to eight other countries.

During his stay in Xinjiang, the Prime Minister is expected to address Xinjiang University, engage with the local business community, and even offer Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque of Xinjiang.

The Belt and Road Forum will be inaugurated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who will deliver a keynote address and host a welcome banquet for foreign leaders and heads of international organizations attending the forum.

This event marks the ten-year anniversary of China’s expansive Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which, as per a recent white paper, has generated contracts worth over two trillion dollars globally, a sum comparable to the GDP of some of the world’s largest economies.