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Will Pakistan's relationship with China prove to be a disadvantage for Pakistan in the long run?

Will Pakistan's relationship with China prove to be a disadvantage for Pakistan in the long run?


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MenInG

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Lots of news from China due PM Imran Khan's trip there and there is talk of many deals etc and then there is the CPEC too.

But the real question is if this relationship (has been going on for ages now) prove to be a disadvantage for Pakistan given how the global alliances are evolving?
 
Difficult one to answer. Pakistan's partnerships with the western bloc have not really brought them much prosperity, and there is probably big opportunities in joining an eastern bloc instead, but that will make enemies of the west. As we've seen with Turkey and Iran, when the west goes against you, they have real potential to hurt you with a combined effort.
 
Pakistan is very lucky in this way, they were part of Western block when west was doing well and now part of Chinese block when they are doing well.
Always managing to attract massive investments and financial support from these countries.
 
The west meaning US,UK and rich European countries pretty much control the entire modern banking and financial systems.

It’s not going to be that easy picking sides for a country like Pakistan.

That’s the harsh reality unfortunately.
 
China lends money to other countries, which end up having to cede control of key assets if they can't meet their debt repayments.
 
Djibouti, Laos, Zambia and Kyrgyzstan have debts to China equivalent to at least 20% of their annual GDP.


One of the earliest successes of China's debt-trap diplomacy was in securing 1,158 square kilometers of strategic Pamir Mountains territory from the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan in 2011 in exchange for debt forgiveness. Kajikistan’s unending debt crisis has also forced it to grant Chinese companies rights to mine gold, silver and other mineral ores.

A more famous example is the Sri Lankan transfer of the Hambantota Port, along with more than 6,000 hectares of land around it, to Beijing on a 99-year lease. The concept of a 99-year lease, ironically, emerged from the flurry of European colonial expansion in China in the 19th century.

China took over a couple of islets in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives and one island in the South Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands. The European Union, meanwhile, has refused to bail out the tiny Balkan republic of Montenegro for mortgaging itself to China.
 
China lends money to other countries, which end up having to cede control of key assets if they can't meet their debt repayments.

If that’s the case as Indians we shouldn’t have so much issue with that, Chinese prefer business over wars.
 
Seeing how China has transformed in the last 20-30 years, why would a third world country hesitate in doing business with them? They are not dropping bombs, they are not playing dirty politics, they are not weaponizing rebels, they are not promoting proxy wars....they come and they develop with rapid pace. Their business term could sure seem tricky for a struggling economy but the huge potential and opportunity such developments and investments hold for Pakistan are massive. They also want to decrease US/western based influence across the globe so such partnership with various countries work out for them.

Pakistan is equally a big consumer market and if we can become a progressive economy then potential is immense. IMF curse and western block has done nothing for development in Pakistan in decades, can't really blame them as we have had a very corrupt system but a foreign country who themselves show up to build a place is much more promising than handing out cash to corrupt to core system. Speaking of development, just the highway, bridges and tunnels CPEC deal has build has skyrocketed local tourism and substantially increased foreign visitors. Was quite pleased to see so many nice hotels and development happening in the northern areas which will further increase tourism. Energy/hydro plants which will provide electricity to wide areas is also bound to play a positive role in human and social development across Pakistan. It's hard to see results in a short span but few decades from now Pakistan will be thanking this project massively. Struggle of economy isn't going away from Pakistan anytime soon as it has been in proxy war for far too long but eventually advancements will pay off. History is rich with such examples.
 
Pakistan on Thursday categorically rejected 'unwarranted and preposterous comments from India on the recent Pakistan-China joint statement.

"Pakistan categorically rejects the unwarranted and preposterous comments made by the Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the Pakistan-China Joint Statement of 6 February 2022," said a statement released by the FO spokesperson.

The statement added that Islamabad also strongly rejected New Delhi’s persistent propaganda against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“Pakistan has shared irrefutable evidence of India’s sinister campaign to sabotage CPEC through its dossiers released in 2020 and 2021”, it stated adding that there was strong evidence of Indian involvement in the recent attempts to stir up unrest in Balochistan by supporting anti-state elements.

The statement further stated that Kulbhushan Jadhav – a serving Indian Navy Officer caught spying in Pakistan – was “living and irrefutable proof” of how India had been seeking to sponsor and patronise subversive activities in Pakistan and the region.

“Similarly, New Delhi’s baseless claims over Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) can neither change the facts of history nor the legal status of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute”, the statement said, adding that IIOJK never was and never will be India’s “integral part”.

The spokesperson maintained that it was an irrefutable fact that India acted as an occupation force in IIOJK in clear violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and that its illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 – wherein it sought to change the internationally recognised disputed status of IIOJK and to alter its demographic structure – were rejected by Kashmiris, Pakistan, and the international community.

“Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle against India’s illegal occupation,” it added.

The statement emphasized that rather than resorting to “false and misleading assertions without success”, India must vacate its illegal occupation of the disputed territory, immediately reverse its illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, and “let Kashmiris exercise their inalienable right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN”.

On Wednesday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir and an economic corridor passing through Kashmir in Pakistan and China’s joint statement. It called on China and Pakistan to “not interfere in India’s internal affairs” or to alter the status quo in areas that they claim Pakistan “illegally” occupied.

Moreover, India claimed that the region as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh "have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India”.
 
China always looks after its own interests. They're a huge power and they're consolidating. We should be careful not to fall into their debt trap and develop on our own. Maintain friendly relations with them where they treat us as equals rather than depend on them for everything.
 
West’s suspicion about CPEC, Gwadar projects ‘makes no sense’: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan has dismissed Western countries' suspicion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Gwadar port, adding that the projects were a great opportunity for regional development.

He expressed the views during an interview with Dr Eric Li, the director of the advisory committee of the China Institute at Fudan University. The interview, which was filmed during the premier's recent trip to Beijing, was released on Thursday with Urdu subtitles.


"I do not understand why there is suspicion about CPEC and the Gwadar port. It makes no sense because, as far as Pakistan is concerned, my number one priority is the country's 220 million people," PM Imran said.


He said that almost 25-30 per cent of the country was below the poverty line, adding that Pakistan had suffered greatly due to past corrupt governments and the 'war on terror'.

"Pakistan should never have participated in the war. While the US lost 4,000 people in the 20 years since 9/11, Pakistan lost 80,000 people and [suffered] a loss of over $100 billion to the economy."

He reiterated that the government's top priority was to look after the people, adding that the emphasis was on geo-economics.

"We want to build our economy and lift our people out of poverty," he said, adding that Pakistan looked towards China as a role model in this regard. "We see CPEC and Gwadar as a great opportunity for geo-economics."

He noted that the initiative was not exclusive to China and Pakistan and said that other countries were also welcome to invest in CPEC projects.

Afghanistan
Commenting on Afghanistan, PM Imran said that the Unites States did not study the history of the war-torn country. "There is a saying that those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it again. So anyone who understood the history of Afghanistan would never have done what the Americans did."

He went on to say that he had pointed out from the start that the US would not succeed militarily in Afghanistan. "First of all, they were never clear on what they were trying to achieve in Afghanistan. Was it nation-building? Was it democracy? Was it liberating the Afghan women? They had no clear aims."

The prime minister said that the US mission was over once Osama Bin Laden was killed as "theoretically they only came to fight Al Qaeda", adding that the terrorist group was "decimated" within the first two years of the US invasion.

He said that when a country has no clear aims when invading another, it would always result in failure.

"Secondly, they don't understand the Afghan character. The people of Afghanistan do not accept foreigners in their country as rulers. They do not accept control from the outside."

He reiterated that there could not be a military solution in Afghanistan as he was aware of the country's history. "My ancestors came to India from Afghanistan."

PM Imran said that the US generals believed in their firepower and thought they were invincible. "But if a people do not want to be ruled, you cannot rule them."

He said that the US mission in Afghanistan was "based on a false premise", had "no clear goals" and was never going to succeed.

The premier also commented on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, stating that the US was unable to distinguish between the Taliban government and Afghanistan's 40 million people.

He said that a humanitarian crisis was unfolding as the US was sanctioning the Taliban government in an attempt to "punish" them.

“If Afghanistan descends into chaos because of the sanctions [...] this will be the biggest man-made human disaster,” he said.

He said the world needed to convince the Americans that this was not the way to go about dealing with Afghanistan as chaos would weaken the Taliban government's ability to take on international terrorists such as ISIS.

Relations with India
When asked about Pakistan's relations with India, PM Imran said that he knew the neighbouring country "better than most Pakistanis" due to his cricketing career. "I used to play there a lot and I received a lot of love and respect from India."

When my government came into power, my first priority was to normalise ties with India, he said, adding that occupied Kashmir was the only issue between the two countries.

He said that the current Indian government thought that India belonged only to the Hindus, and in doing so, it was marginalising around 700 million human beings who were now considered "second-class citizens".

He called it a "great tragedy" and dubbed it the reason why India was facing problems from within and with its neighbours.

"We just hope that better sense prevails because as things are going, I think India will damage itself much more than anyone else."

Treatment of Uighurs
At the tail-end of his interview, the prime minister was asked about allegations of genocide against Uighurs in China's Xinjiang province and his perspective.

"We asked our ambassador in China, Moinul Haque, to go and have a look in Xinjiang and find out what is actually going on. The report he gave us was completely different to what is coming out on Western media."

He quoted the envoy as saying that the emphasis on development in Xinjiang was "unprecedented".

"He did mention that there were terrorist attacks by East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) because of which there is a security issue," PM Imran said.

"But the sort of things we were told don't exist in Xinjiang," he said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1674349/wests-suspicion-about-cpec-gwadar-projects-makes-no-sense-pm-imran
 
Nope.

If CPEC fails BRI fails. CPEC is project no.1 of BRI, thus China cant risk it to fail. If this happens, than other projects of BRI will never take place.
 
Nope.

If CPEC fails BRI fails. CPEC is project no.1 of BRI, thus China cant risk it to fail. If this happens, than other projects of BRI will never take place.

China can afford it to fail, CPEC is nothing more than a military base for China, they have so much money it really doesn't matter if CPEC does not prosper financially, however if it does, that will be a BONUS. Like one of the Chinese military commander said: the food is already on the table, we will eat when it suits us.
 
China can afford it to fail, CPEC is nothing more than a military base for China, they have so much money it really doesn't matter if CPEC does not prosper financially, however if it does, that will be a BONUS. Like one of the Chinese military commander said: the food is already on the table, we will eat when it suits us.

You are misinformed about BRI
China Problem:

China has communism in the country. This communism exists due to the Soviet influence that helped Peoples republic of China get into power. The people living in PRC are happy. They get their needs fulfilled and dont suffer from poverty. The reason for that is China has maintained an economic growth. I think its 8% or more not sure what the rate was.

Now the issue is that China has a very population, and while the Chinese people are happy they have no issues with the govt as the growth rate is maintained. However, by maintaining a growth rate is not feasible. Sooner or later the growth will stop. Once that growth stops, there could be some economic worsening of the situation. Once the economy does bad, the Chinese of PRC can stand up and abolish the communist govt like we saw what happened in arab spring uprisings.

Thus, to maintain the economic growth rate, China is now expanding its economy.

At the same time, issues are rising at the Pacific ocean. China does its trade through Pacific Ocean from the State of Malaka. They have to pay various taxes and US has started to get its allies involved to slow down the chinese economy.

Belt and Road Initiative:
Thus, to tackle all these issues, Belt and Road initiative was started. New trade routes being tapped which would help maintain the economy plus reduce the trade route costs and delivery time. China will have access to new marks.

If BRI is too fail, the middle class of China would become unhappy and cause a future revolt.

There are 6 corridors of BRI, and CPEC is the most important. The reason for that is CPEC is the first BRI project and if CPEC succeeds than only than would other countries would be interested to be part of BRI.


China Pakistan Economic Corridor:
Under CPEC, Kashgar would be connected to Gwader and that that trade route would be used.

Another misinformation that goes on is that people assume that China is building infrastructure for Pakistan only when infact they are not. To connect Kashgar with Gwader, the required resources needed would be studied, and than the gaps would be filled. For example if a road already exists, China won't make a new one, that same old road would be connected with a CPEC built road.
Pakistans energy problem was solved and China even fixed the transmission lines and equipment's on those roads or areas which are directly part of CPEC. Other Pakistani cities like Rawalpindi etc their lines and equipment is a cost that govt has to bare. These replacements are being done as we have old transmission lines that cant bare 24/7 electricity, thus load shedding is done to decrease the load.

CPEC Loans:

There is a very big misconception regarding the loans and thus we see different articles written against CPEC.

$100b has been invested in CPEC project. However, Pakistan only has to pay fraction of it. Also we are allowed to pay back after the projects are operational and after there payback the ownership of those properties would go back to Pakistan.

Just like how Daewoo made the motorway and they collected the toll from it and after sometime the ownership was transferred to us.

One of the reasons why CPEC figures were never made public was because China did not want other countries to know as than other countries in BRI would want same prices. If you notice, Imran Khan used to bash PMLN for not publicizing the CPEC figures but when he came into govt he also didnt publish them either as China hasnt allowed them cause of other countries also wanting same prices on BRI projects when they will start.

Why CPEC is important ?

If CPEC fails, BRI fails. CPEC is the first project of BRI and China doesnt want it to fail. Thus, these claims of Loan sharks etc make no logical sense. If China is involved in acting as loan sharks, other BRI projects wont even start and thus with BRI failing China is doomed in future.

As BRI is important, we have seen tensions rising in the Pacific Ocean.

The Hambantota Port

Often the Hambantota Port is cited as an example, but that failed because China made the mistake of investing everything on one single thing. In Pakistan, the investment hasnt been done in one basket but multiple areas have been tapped in.

Problems that CPEC posses on Pakistan:

Yes, China will now have some political influence on us. Like we saw Asim Bajwa being made part of the CPEC authority. They will have some influence on our governance.
The biggest issue that people ignore is that China is forcing Pakistan to keep good relations with TTP. TTP dialogue is only happening because of them. As the trade routes of Baluchistan would be used.


Thus, there will be rumors' and articles, but China's main goal is to get BRI going. USA is trying to delay BRI which is why Pacific Ocean problems could brew up. War might not happen, but some slight disturbance in the Chinese economy can delay BRI for 10-15 years which is enough for USA. We all saw how Huawei is banned in North America and its phones which were competing with Samsung dont have play store anymore.
 
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China always looks after its own interests. They're a huge power and they're consolidating. We should be careful not to fall into their debt trap and develop on our own. Maintain friendly relations with them where they treat us as equals rather than depend on them for everything.

There isn't a country that isn't in debt. China and USA are in massive debt. It doesn't mean anything.
 
China is a growing superpower and keeping a good relation with them is a good thing.

But, Pakistan should be vigilant.
 
No doubt it has helped Pakistan immensely. It has world power backing in any global forums, so can't be cornered in any debate. High FDI in last decade due to CPEC. Transfer of technology in terms of textile manufacturing as well as defence equipments particularly high ticket items like fighter jets. Massive upgradation of infrastructure - express highways, ports, rail lines, logistics hubs. I even heard lots of grants for universities and students who are aspiring for higher education. Relation with China is a massive boon to Pakistan, without their partnership Pakistan might have struggled with balance of payments. This is a standout example of bilateral collaboration and letting each other prosper heavily out of it.
 
As long as Pakistan doesn't fall in to the debt trap, it should be benefit.

But the govt has to be very cautious.
 
A top ranking Chinese official has thanked army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for the security special measures for Chinese nationals in Pakistan and for efforts towards regional stability.

“His Excellency Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) and Director of Central Committee on Foreign Affairs, called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at the GHQ on Wednesday,” according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing.

Matters of mutual interest, defence collaboration, progress on CPEC and regional security were discussed during the meeting, it added. The army chief said that Pakistan values China’s role in global and regional affairs and “we look forward to enhancing our strategic partnership”.

Gen Bajwa reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to cooperating with its international partners for peace and stability in the region.

“The visiting dignitary thanked the COAS for special measures taken for provision of safe and secure environment for Chinese personnel employed on various projects in Pakistan and efforts towards regional stability,” according to the statement. “He also assured to play his role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.”

As Director of the Central Commission on Foreign Affairs, Yang Jiechi has a prominent role in China’s foreign relations. He has previously served as China’s Foreign Minister from 2007-13 and State Councilor from 2013-17.

In a curtain-raiser on the visit, the Foreign Office said earlier in the day that during his two-day visit, Director Yang will hold talks with the foreign minister and call on the prime minister.

It further said that Director Yang Jiechi will be accompanied by vice ministers for foreign affairs and commerce, vice chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and deputy secretary general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The visit is part of the regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China. Recently, these interactions included a virtual meeting between the foreign ministers on May 11, 2022; Prime Minister Shehbaz’s telephone call with Premier Li on May 16, 2022; and foreign minister’s visit to China on May 21-22, 2022.

According to the Foreign Office statement, Director Yang’s visit reflects the importance attached by Pakistan and China to further deepen their “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”, reaffirm mutual support on issues of each other’s core interests, enhance economic engagement, explore new avenues of bilateral cooperation for betterment of the two peoples, advance high-quality development of CPEC, and coordinate positions on important regional and global issues of mutual interest.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/236389...for-security-of-chinese-nationals-in-pakistan
 
Pakistan blindly trusts China, says Kakar
In meeting with Xi, PM says nothing will undermine our partnership with Beijing

BEIJING:
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscored the ‘blind’ trust Pakistan places in China, referring to their bilateral partnership as one made “in heaven.”

He emphasized that Pakistan's commitment to the strategic partnership with China would remain steadfast, and they would not allow anything to undermine it.

The prime minister, in his opening remarks, stated that Pakistan firmly supports the One China policy and would demonstrate this support through concrete actions, not just mere words. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum, which was attended by leaders and representatives from approximately 140 nations.

Kakar made it clear that Pakistan would not step back in its relations with China. The two leaders convened to discuss a range of bilateral and regional matters. President Xi warmly welcomed the prime minister and his delegation, which included figures like Shamshad Akhtar, Sarfaraz Bugti, and Gohar Ejaz, among others.

During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his gratitude to President Xi for inviting him to the “historic” Belt and Road Forum and congratulated him on its “resounding” success. He praised President Xi's address at the forum as profound, deep, and visionary, which presented numerous opportunities for countries like Pakistan.

Kakar noted that China’s unprecedented progress serves as a role model and has no parallel in world history, having transformed the lives of millions of its people. He underscored that there is a unanimous view in Pakistan's political structures regarding China.

He also pointed out the relevance of President Xi’s vision of a “community of shared future” in the current turbulent times. President Xi, in his remarks, affirmed China's commitment to strengthening the traditional friendship with Pakistan and deepening their bilateral partnership.

He reiterated their dedication to advancing the China-Pakistan partnership in this new era of a shared future for the benefit of both peoples.

 
Kakar noted that China’s unprecedented progress serves as a role model and has no parallel in world history, having transformed the lives of millions of its people. He underscored that there is a unanimous view in Pakistan's political structures regarding China.

Well in that case once he's home, Kakar could start by letting his masters know that in China the army doesn't control the country, it's the Chinese government that controls the army.
 
Pakistan blindly trusts China, says Kakar
In meeting with Xi, PM says nothing will undermine our partnership with Beijing

BEIJING:
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, underscored the ‘blind’ trust Pakistan places in China, referring to their bilateral partnership as one made “in heaven.”

He emphasized that Pakistan's commitment to the strategic partnership with China would remain steadfast, and they would not allow anything to undermine it.

The prime minister, in his opening remarks, stated that Pakistan firmly supports the One China policy and would demonstrate this support through concrete actions, not just mere words. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum, which was attended by leaders and representatives from approximately 140 nations.

Kakar made it clear that Pakistan would not step back in its relations with China. The two leaders convened to discuss a range of bilateral and regional matters. President Xi warmly welcomed the prime minister and his delegation, which included figures like Shamshad Akhtar, Sarfaraz Bugti, and Gohar Ejaz, among others.

During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his gratitude to President Xi for inviting him to the “historic” Belt and Road Forum and congratulated him on its “resounding” success. He praised President Xi's address at the forum as profound, deep, and visionary, which presented numerous opportunities for countries like Pakistan.

Kakar noted that China’s unprecedented progress serves as a role model and has no parallel in world history, having transformed the lives of millions of its people. He underscored that there is a unanimous view in Pakistan's political structures regarding China.

He also pointed out the relevance of President Xi’s vision of a “community of shared future” in the current turbulent times. President Xi, in his remarks, affirmed China's commitment to strengthening the traditional friendship with Pakistan and deepening their bilateral partnership.

He reiterated their dedication to advancing the China-Pakistan partnership in this new era of a shared future for the benefit of both peoples.

"Blind trust" how much more subservient can one get to lose any sense of self pride as a strong independent nation.
Literally ready to be a satellite state of china🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️.

China is fighting its own demons. Xi for all his vision and wisdom has destroyed the institutions of CCP. It's Xi's cult now. History repeating Stalin, Mao, Putin.
 

Pakistan-China strategic dialogue next week​


Pakistan and China will hold a strategic dialogue next week, an annual occurrence where both countries discuss and review the whole gamut of their bilateral ties besides regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to a foreign office statement.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will visit Beijing from 13-16 May for this purpose, according to the statement issued here on Saturday by the foreign office.

Dar will co-chair the Fifth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with the Chinese Foreign Minister and Director of the General Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China, Wang Yi.

The two sides will comprehensively review Pakistan-China bilateral relations including economic and trade cooperation; high-level exchanges and visits; upgradation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and future connectivity initiatives, the statement said.

It added the two leaders will also exchange views on the unfolding regional geopolitical landscape and bilateral cooperation at the multilateral fora.

On the sidelines of the Strategic Dialogue, Dar is expected to meet Chinese leaders, senior ministers and leading corporate executives.

The deputy prime minister’s visit is part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China.

“It reflects the importance attached by the two countries to further deepening the ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’; reaffirming mutual support on issues of core interest; enhancing economic and trade cooperation including CPEC; and reinforcing joint commitment to regional peace and development,” said the foreign office statement.

The two countries will also hold a meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of CPEC in Beijing to review progress.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also expected to travel to Beijing in the first week of June. This will be his first visit to China since he returned to the Prime Minister Office after the February 8 elections.

Pakistan considers ties with China vital for its interests. Despite pressure from certain Western countries to review its ties with China, Islamabad continues to give high priority to its ties with Beijing.

China has stood with Pakistan on crucial junctures. Beijing's timely rollover of loans last year prevented a potential default. At the same time, China, being a permanent member of the UNSC, has always supported Pakistan’s core interests at the international forum.

However, of late China has been increasingly concerned over the security of its nationals working on different projects in Pakistan. The March 26 terrorist attack in Besham killed five Chinese engineers in the latest attack targeting Chinese nationals.

Pakistan assured foolproof security and promised to bring to justice all those who were behind the incident. Investigations into the Besham attack revealed that the suicide bomber was an Afghan national and the network that was behind the incident is linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

 
It is a tricky question to answer but in the short term it seems benefiting for Pakistan.
 

China assures Pakistan support for sovereignty, territorial integrity​


China said on Wednesday that it firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

The remarks were expressed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while co-chairing the fifth round of the Foreign Minister-Level China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Wednesday.

The two sides pledged to enhance pragmatic cooperation in various fields.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners.

Over the years, he said that Pakistan has firmly adhered to the one-China principle and offered China valuable support without reservation on issues concerning China's core interests.

Wang said that China also firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

“It is believed that under the leadership of the new government, Pakistan will enter a new stage of political unity, social stability, controllable security and sustainable development,” he said.

China and Pakistan will support each other, share weal and woe, and work hand in hand to push China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, Wang added.

The Chinese foreign minister said that his country is willing to work with Pakistan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, pool efforts to promote the construction of an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and work together to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

In addition, China will not waver in its determination to deepen cooperation with Pakistan, and hopes that Pakistan will continue to do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan and eliminate the worries of Chinese enterprises and personnel, he added.

The Pakistan-China friendship is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy, Dar said, adding that Pakistan abides by the one-China principle, firmly supports China without hesitation on all issues concerning China's core interests, and looks forward to further deepening bilateral practical cooperation in various fields.

He further said that Pakistan will do its utmost to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan.

He also thanked China for its consistent support on the Kashmir issue, saying it is crucial for resolving the dispute to bring peace in the region.

The two countries also agreed to continue their cooperation on issues related to regional security and stability.

 

China backs Shehbaz govt to bring economic stability​


China has thrown its weight behind the Shehbaz Sharif government, congratulating Pakistan on holding "successful general elections" and expressing "good wishes" for the new administration to promote economic development and prosperity.

The statement from Pakistan's all-weather strategic partner came at the end of the Pak-China Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing this week. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi co-chaired the annual meeting to review bilateral ties and discuss a host of regional and international issues.

"China congratulated Pakistan on holding successful general elections and expressed good wishes to the new Pakistani government in leading the Pakistani people in their endeavour to maintain stability and security and promote economic development and prosperity," read a joint statement issued by the Foreign Office on Thursday.

The statement is seen as significant against the backdrop of allegations levelled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that its mandate was stolen and the current government lacks legitimacy.

China never publicly comments on Pakistan's domestic political issues but privately has always been keen to see political stability in the country.

During the dialogue, the two sides exchanged views on the entire range of bilateral relations and cooperation, including strategic, economic, political, defence and security, trade, investment and commerce, and cultural and people-to-people domains.

International and regional issues of shared interest were also discussed, and the two sides reached a consensus to collectively take measures to safeguard their common interests, promote the socio-economic development of the peoples of the two countries, and work together to promote peace, development, and prosperity in the region.

Both sides reiterated that Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic cooperative partners, sharing an unbreakable ironclad friendship and strategic mutual trust. The healthy and robust growth of Pakistan-China relations is of immense strategic significance for regional peace, development, and stability.

The two sides will implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen experience-sharing in state governance, further enhance win-win cooperation in all areas, and accelerate the building of an even closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era.

Pakistan spoke highly of China’s major development achievements in the new era under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, appreciated China’s people-centred development philosophy, and believed that the Chinese path to modernisation provides a new option and practical solution for developing countries to achieve independent development.

The two sides reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on issues concerning their respective core interests.

The Pakistani side reaffirmed its firm commitment to the One-China principle and reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Pakistan firmly supported the Chinese government’s every effort to achieve national reunification and opposes any form of “Taiwan independence.”

The joint statement noted that Pakistan firmly supports China on issues concerning Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. The Chinese side reiterated its steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, national independence, and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to Pakistan’s national conditions and achieving economic prosperity, in firmly combating terrorism, and in playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs.

The two sides strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Chinese convoy of the Dasu Hydropower Project in Pakistan on March 26, 2024, and emphasised that no attempt to undermine China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed.

In keeping with its ironclad friendship with China, the Pakistani side will hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice, take more effective security measures, and make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan. The Chinese side recognised Pakistan’s contributions and sacrifices in combating terrorism over the years.

The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with a “zero tolerance” attitude and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and security through a comprehensive approach.

Calling on the international community to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, the two sides expressed their firm opposition to double standards on counter-terrorism.

The two sides will work together to deepen and substantiate China’s eight major steps to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and forge an “upgraded version” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by jointly building a growth corridor, a livelihood-enhancing corridor, an innovation corridor, a green corridor, and an open corridor by aligning them with Pakistan’s development framework and priorities.

The two sides agreed to accelerate progress on major connectivity projects, including the upgradation of ML-1, the Gwadar Port, and the realignment of Karakoram Highway Phase II, strengthen cooperation in agriculture, industrial parks, mining, information technology, and other fields according to local conditions, and enhance Pakistan’s capacity for sustainable development.

The two sides believe that the Khunjerab Pass plays an important role in promoting bilateral trade and people-to-people exchanges, and agreed to speed up efforts to ensure that the Khunjerab Pass can function year-round.

The two sides discussed ongoing energy cooperation and agreed to further enhance it. They also agreed to further strengthen financial and banking cooperation, including support for each other at regional and international forums.

The Pakistani side appreciated China for providing support for its fiscal and financial sectors and assistance in the face of floods and other natural disasters.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with their expanding space cooperation and agreed to further build on it for a peaceful and mutually beneficial exploration of space.

Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for the resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action.

The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is a legacy of history and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements.

The two sides reiterated their readiness to further enhance cooperation under the framework of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilisation Initiative.

Pakistan highly commended China’s efforts to safeguard the rights of developing countries for sustainable development. The two sides expressed satisfaction over cooperation in multilateral regimes such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and agreed to strengthen coordination and collaboration to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and international fairness and justice.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, support for multilateralism and free trade, and opposition to the creation of “small circles” and bloc confrontation.

The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on the Afghanistan issue. They called for concerted efforts by the international community to help Afghanistan properly address challenges in areas such as the humanitarian situation and economic development, and encourage Afghanistan to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, pursue good-neighbourliness, and firmly combat terrorism, including not allowing its territory to be used for terrorist acts.

Both sides agreed to play a positive and constructive role in helping Afghanistan achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.

The two sides reiterated that the fundamental solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. The resolution adopted by the UN Security Council is legally binding and should be enforced effectively to achieve an unconditional and lasting ceasefire immediately.

The international community should increase input into the Palestinian question with a greater sense of urgency, step up efforts to facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and strive for enduring peace.

The two sides reiterated that as good neighbours, good friends, good partners, and good brothers, Pakistan and China will promote their ironclad ties, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and upgrade strategic cooperation to break new ground and set new goals in their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

 

PM Shehbaz Sharif vows to follow Chinese model of success​


Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reiterated his resolve to make Pakistan a great nation and regain its position by following the Chinese development model through utmost hard work and a sharp focus on industrial and agricultural progress.

“If we follow the Chinese model, I have no doubt, Pakistan will regain its position in the comity of nations and will be respected like our Chinese brothers are respected by friends and foes… We will follow your model, work hard untiringly, put in our sweat and blood, and make Pakistan a great country,” the prime minister said addressing the 4th Pakistan-China Friendship and Business Reception in Beijing.

He told the gathering of Pakistani and Chinese business leaders that Pakistan would follow Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision to focus on progress and prosperity by avoiding conflicts and cited immense Chinese progress and projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI).

The prime minister, who is in China on a five-day official visit, advised the Pakistani people against being dejected or losing hope rather than standing up and accepting the challenge to reach the level of Chinese progress within a few years or decades.

He said that the China-Pakistan friendship had no parallel in the world which remained unshakeable and unreachable even during the storms, wars, and earthquakes.

Recalling the Chinese journey of swift development to become the second biggest economic and military power under President Xi’s vision, PM Shehbaz said it was achieved only through hard work and untiring efforts.

“All Pakistanis will also have to pass through this thorny process. There is no other way to earn respect in the world,” he remarked.

He said having come into being two years after Pakistan, China took its trade to trillions of dollars while Pakisan’s hovered around $30-40 billion in terms of exports.

PM Shehbaz said that China has excelled in information technology and artificial intelligence. He also referred to the “wonderful” bilateral cooperation in the space programme as Pakistan recently sent a lunar satellite and a space satellite recently with Chinese collaboration.

Referring to the sad and gruesome attack by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) killing five Chinese workers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Besham in April, PM Shehbaz condemned the incident and conveyed his deepest condolence to the families of those who were killed.

He said that the incident which sent a shockwave across Pakistan was the nefarious plot of enemies of China-Pakistan friendship and CPEC as well as those who did not want to see bilateral ties rising to the apex of glory.

“I want to make a solemn pledge that whatever is humanly possible, we will put in all measures and arrangements to protect the lives of every Chinese citizen in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, K-P, G-B and AJK. I want to make a solemn commitment that the security of Chinese nationals will be more than that of my own and my children,” he assured.

 
I don't think there's much harm in being aligned with China in the medium term for Pakistan. There are no openly conflicting interests and Pakistan should get preferential treatment since it's one of the few large countries that is openly in the China camp.

Pakistan should be careful though. These silly statements like "we blindly trust China" should make any citizen's antenna stand up. Even if they're only for optics, there's no need to sound so subservient. This is no longer the era of you're with us or against us like during the Cold War and everyone is aware that countries...even small countries are only allied to the extent of their national interest.

China gets a bad rep in western economic and foreign policy circles, a lot of it fully deserved but the fact remains that they're one of the few countries willing to commit to large investments at a national level which developing countries need. Western countries don't have the mechanism for such state investments any longer.
 
Pakistan-China ties vital for peace, uplift: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said time-tested Pak-China friendship is indispensable for bilateral as well as regional peace and development, expressing great satisfaction over complete political consensus in both countries on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He expressed these views while talking to Minister of International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Liu Jianchao, who along with a delegation called on him at PM House.

While welcoming the Chinese dignitary and members of his delegation to Pakistan, the prime minister congratulated him as well as political leaders of Pakistan on the successful organisation of Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum and the third round of Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) of Political Parties on CPEC.

Reflecting on his recent visit to China where he held fruitful and productive meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, the prime minister commended the vision of the Chinese leadership for the continued growth of Pak-China strategic relations and the shared desire of both countries to work together to ensure success of CPEC and its upgrade.

DAWN
 
China-Pakistan partnership to introduce eco-friendly solar e-bikes

Road King, a leading electric scooter brand in Pakistan, and AGAO Solar Mobility, a China-based startup specializing in solar-powered scooters, reached a preliminary cooperation agreement recently to introduce eco-friendly solar e-bikes to Pakistan.

Solar scooters are eco-friendly electric scooters equipped with solar panels. These panels harness solar energy to charge the scooter’s battery, reducing the need for traditional charging. The combination of solar energy and scooters is dedicated to short-distance travel with zero carbon emissions, said the Chinese company.

During the meeting, both sides engaged in detailed discussions on Pakistan’s local transportation market demand, product development trends, and specific cooperation modalities, CEN reported.

The Chinese company expressed its willingness to provide Road King with technical support, product optimization, and marketing assistance for solar e-bikes. The goal is to jointly create high-quality transportation products that meet local market needs.

We will actively promote cooperation with the Chinese side and introduce solar e-bikes to the Pakistani market, stated the delegation from Road King, noting that the environmental friendliness and high-efficiency performance of solar e-bikes perfectly align with Pakistan’s current demand for green transportation.

 
PM orders swift implementation of agreements with China

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the authorities to expedite the process of implementing the agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) made with the Chinese government and Chinese companies, saying that any further delay would not be tolerated.


“China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan who helped Pakistan in every hour of need, said Mr Shehbaz while chairing a review meeting regarding Pak-China cooperation at the PM House.

The prime minister pointed out that the transfer of the Chinese industry to Pakistan would help improve the country’s overall economy, increase Pakistan’s exports, and create new employment opportunities.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the progress of different projects launched with Chinese cooperation.

The prime minister was told that the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway would be completed through a Public-Private Partnership.

It was informed that the plan to send 1,000 students for modern agricultural vocational training at government expense had been completed. The first batch of students was sent to China at the beginning of this academic year, while the next batch would be sent to modern Chinese agricultural universities after learning Chinese in Pakistan.

A comprehensive road map regarding the transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan was presented at the meeting.

“Around 78 Pakistani companies have initially expressed deep interest in cooperation for the transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan,” the meeting was informed. The Board of Investment also presented a comprehensive report on the progress and action plan which was appreciated by the PM.

DAWN NEWS
 

Pakistan to push Chinese utilities in Pakistan to switch to domestic coal​


Pakistan this month will ask Chinese power plants operating in the country to shift to using coal from Sindh’s Thar region rather than imported coal, the power minister said on Sunday.

Islamabad may also begin talks on re-profiling Pakistan’s energy sector debt during the visit to Beijing, Awais Leghari, head of the energy ministry’s Power Division, told Reuters.

Leghari will be part of the delegation to discuss structural reforms to the power sector suggested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which last week agreed on a $7 billion bailout for the heavily indebted South Asian nation.

Neighbouring China has set up over $20 billion worth of energy projects in Pakistan.

“One of the key purposes of going along is the conversion of our imported coal units to the local coal. That would have a huge impact on the cost of energy, of power in the near future. So that is one of the biggest (items on the) agenda,” Leghari said in an interview.

Such a transition would benefit the Chinese-owned plants in Pakistan by reducing pressure on Islamabad’s foreign exchange reserves, he said, making it easier to repatriate dividends and offering a better return in dollar terms.

The transition could save Pakistan more than Rs200 billion ($700 million) a year in imports, translating to a decrease of as much as Rs2.5 per unit in the price of electricity, Leghari said.

In April a subsidiary of conglomerate Engro agreed to sell all of its thermal assets, including Pakistan’s leading coal producer, Sindh Engro Coal Mining to Pakistan’s Liberty Power. Liberty said the decision stemmed from Pakistan’s foreign exchange crunch and its indigenous coal reserve potential.

The minister declined to elaborate on the possible talks with China over re-profiling energy debt.

Pakistan’s power sector has been plagued by high rates of power theft and distribution losses, resulting in accumulating debt across the production chain - a concern raised by the IMF.

The government is implementing structural reforms to reduce “circular debt” - public liabilities that build up in the power sector due to subsidies and unpaid bills - by Rs100 billion ($360 million) a year, Leghari said.

Poor and middle-class households have been affected by a previous IMF bailout reached last year, which included raising power tariffs as part of the funding programme that ended in April.

Annual power use in Pakistan is expected to fall consecutively for the first time in 16 years as higher tariffs curb household consumption, despite summer temperatures surging to near records, which typically boosts air conditioning and fan use.

“We have seen a shrinking demand trend in the past year or year and a half, and we are expecting this to continue unless we rationalise the price of power,” Leghari said, adding that the government’s major challenge was get demand to stop shrinking.

He said that since the per-unit tariff for power is more expensive, both urban and rural households are moving towards alternatives such as solar.

“Right now we have close to 1,000 megawatts that are on the grid itself in the form of net metering systems and others. It’s a very conservative estimate that (solar) could be five to six times more than that on the grid right now,” Leghari said.

 

FO says no trade-offs on China, US ties​


“Pakistan has said on several occasions that it does not believe in zero-sum relationships. For us, relations with the United States and relations with China are both important,” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters in Islamabad.

“We do not believe in situations where relationship with one country can be sacrificed on the altar of relations with another. China is an all-weather strategic cooperative partner of Pakistan, and Pakistan will continue to strengthen this relationship going forward,” she explained when asked to comment on the recent statement made by US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Donald Lu.

Lu sought $101 million in assistance on behalf of the Biden administration to support democracy, human rights and Pakistan’s efforts to stabilise the economy.

Commenting on Pakistan’s economic relations with China, Lu said the US was seeking to prevent Islamabad’s “further overreliance” on Beijing.

He said Washington’s plan to balance China’s “strong and growing influence” in Pakistan, adding that the US would supersede Chinese investments. “China is the past in terms of investment, we are the future,” he claimed.

The spokesperson said Pakistan took note of the congressional briefing but added that it was an internal matter of the US.

“This is an internal debate between the US Congress and the administration. Pakistan values its close relationship with the United States and believes in constructive engagement. We would like to develop this relationship on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other's domestic affairs,” she said.

“We believe that deliberations of legislative bodies should contribute to promoting positive dynamics in bilateral ties and should be based on mutual respect and understanding,” she added.

“We do not comment on the State Department's budgetary requests. Traditionally, such allocations are made for support to civil society in areas of strategic priorities of the United States government,” she further said.

“Regarding the discussions or negotiations that took place between individuals who were doing a sit-in in Chaman and our authorities, we would advise you to contact the relevant authorities, including the government of Balochistan, for any details of the understandings reached between the protesters and the authorities,” she said.

“However, I would like to underline that one-document regime remains in place, and no foreigner can come to Pakistan without a valid passport and visa,” the spokesperson said.

Baloch confirmed that Aminul Haq, an Al-Qaeda operative, who is on the UN Security Council sanctions list, was arrested by Pakistan law enforcement agencies in March 2024 while crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan illegally.

“We conveyed this information to the United Nations in March and that is what the report is referring to. The CTD is taking the lead in investigation and prosecution of Haq.”

 
Unless the relationship is on equal footing, it will be a disadvantage to Pakistan.

There are no true allies in geo-politics and only self-interests matter. While Chinese government look of higher returns for their investment, Pakistan is looking to spur its economic growth.

The only way, Pakistan can do that is through considerable employment opportunities and increasing domestic consumption.

CPEC on its core is a transport corridor, hence its success largely depends on logistics transport among Europe-Central Asia-China. With road transport being the core of CPEC, the market trends do not suggest that, a shift from sea routes to trucking will happen at a large scale. While this will reduce the transport time, it will increase the risk associated (geo-political risks) and logistics cost. But the favorable trend is on the growth of cross-border e-commerce. Also, intermodal transport is growing in these routes and China-Europe rail route will also eat the CPEC share in freight transport. Hence, most of the global analysts do not hold the viability of CPEC in positive light.

The key concern is regarding the energy portfolio of Pakistan. I don't understand why Pakistan lets China control is core Utility sector - Electricity.

For any developing country, Utility sector should be in control of government but Pakistan let it slip away. This will backfire and impact Pakistan negatively IMO. It will be one of the reason why Pakistan’s manufacturing/consumer exports will not be price competitive to other countries as it greatly increases production costs.
For reference, energy costs accounts 15-20% for Capital goods sector. By agreeing to long-term PPAs (Power purchase agreements), Pakistan has shot itself in the foot IMO

 
CPEC was considered a game changer but dummy politicians have misused it and left the Chinese also disappointed, China has been a close ally and Pakistan should keep ties with China cordial and strategic
 
PM Shehbaz writes letter to China requesting debt reprofiling

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that he had written a letter to the Chinese government requesting debt reprofiling for Pakistan in an apparent bid to secure the International Monetary Fund’s approval for a $7 billion economic bailout by next month.

Earlier this week, a Dawn report confirmed that Pakistan had sought the reprofiling of more than $27 billion in debt and liabilities with friendly nations — China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — to secure a 37-month International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package and ease energy sector foreign exchange outflows and consumer tariffs.

This is on top of Islamabad’s request to Beijing to convert imported coal-based projects to local coal and reprofile more than $15bn in energy sector liabilities to create fiscal space amid difficulties in timely repayments.

“I have written a letter to China, it’s a matter of public domain now, for [debt] reprofiling,” the PM said while addressing a meeting of the federal cabinet before the National Assembly (NA) session today.

According to the World Bank, debt reprofiling refers to “modifications of the aggregate schedule of future country repayments through refinancing, debt substitution, or renegotiations.”

The process can help a country if it’s facing simultaneous maturity of multiple loans or experiencing exposure issues, such as in the currency composition of its liabilities. It can also help a country mitigate currency risk, which frequently exacerbates debt sustainability issues.

PM Shehbaz informed members of the cabinet that Chinese President Xi Jinping had shown “keen interest in his idea” of using local coal to cut down imports.

“I told the president that Thar coal could help the country cut down on imports and save $1 billion in foreign exchange,” the PM said.

He also pointed out that Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had “very good meetings” in China during his recent visit, noting that efforts were underway to implement structural reforms for reducing circular debt.

“Whether consumers are industrial or household, the government of Pakistan is fully struggling day and night to extend relief,” he said, “This is the joint voice of all parties and the nation.”

Earlier, he had commended friendly ties with China.

“Nobody was ready to invest in our energy sector at the time, but China stepped in and began CPEC, it was the only country to intervene,” he had said, crediting PML-N Supremo Nawaz Sharif’s government for signing the agreements for the infrastructure.

Moreover, he said that the medium-term measures for the government included addressing loans and capacity charges.

Pakistan to exempt Chinese citizens from the visa fee from August 14

According to state-owned Radio Pakistan, PM Shehbaz Sharif, while talking to a high-level Chinese delegation, informed them of the federal cabinet’s decision to exempt Chinese citizens from visa fees with effect from Aug 14.

The premier also said that joint ventures between the two countries in the fields of mines and minerals, information technology, export zones, industrial zones, and relocation of industry from China will further strengthen the local economy.

DAWN
 
Cabinet okays signing of MoU with China to enhance trade cooperation

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting that decided on the recommendation of the Ministry of Commerce. The MoU was aimed at boosting bilateral trade with a focus on several key areas such as smartphone production, new energy vehicles, textiles, agricultural product processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and information technology.

The federal cabinet also approved to table the bill in parliament for the charter of the National University of Modern Languages, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training.

The cabinet also okayed the bill for establishing King Hammad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences being established in cooperation with Bahrain on the recommendation of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training. The university will impart education in Pakistan to meet modern-day challenges.

Financial assistance for missing persons’ families

Meanwhile, the inter-ministerial committee formed regarding the missing persons submitted its report to the federal cabinet. The report read that after the Afghan war, Pakistan was gripped by terrorism and is facing many internal challenges.

“The inquiry commission on missing persons has been working for the last decade,” the report added.

It was said that PM Shehbaz Sharif during his last stint in power had constituted an all-parties committee on missing persons. The meeting was informed that the law enforcement agencies also cooperated in preparing the report.

The cabinet approved a package of Rs 5 million for the families of each missing person by endorsing the recommendation of the committee.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while briefing the media, about the decisions taken by the federal cabinet, said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced this package in light of the recommendations made by the previous committees on the issue of missing persons. He said the cabinet reviewed the final report of the committees and also approved the constitution of a special committee to examine genuine cases of families in need of support.

Azam Nazeer Tarar said this is an amount being given to the families of missing persons and cannot be reclaimed if a person is reunited with his family. He added it has also been directed to do homework on taking relief and legislative measures, which include necessary instructions to the NADRA to take care of issues pertaining to their bank accounts and inheritance.

 
What China is doing for Pakistan, US cannot do: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that whatever China was doing for Pakistan, the United States could not, and reiterated that relations with Washington should be repaired, but not at the cost of ties with Beijing.

The prime minister, who had a busy weekend, met with a group of journalists at his Model Town residence in Lahore. The journalists had recently returned from an official visit to China, undertaken on the invitation of the China Public Diplomacy Association.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Shehbaz said that work was progressing fast on the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and during the visit of Chinese experts to Pakistan, there was positive movement on the promotion of cooperation in different fields.

Talking about his letter to Beijing requesting debt re-profiling, he said that if China agreed to give Pakistan five to seven years to pay back the loans, the government would be able to bring down inflation, including electricity prices.

However, when asked if he had received any response so far, he said: “No… [our request] is under consideration”.

“We hope for a positive response from China in this regard,” he said.

When asked about Pakistan-US relations, the PM was of the view that the country needed to repair its relations with Washington, as that was in its best interests.

“I think our relations with the US must be repaired, as it is very necessary for Pakistan… But it shouldn’t be at the cost of China… and I had told [the Americans] recently in presence of various dignitaries including Mr Ishaq Dar,” he explained.

“I also told them that similarly, the friendship with China is not at the cost of US, as both have significance for us,” he clarified.

The PM said he believed that whatever China was helping Pakistan accomplish, the US cannot do.

He was also very concerned about the safety and security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and assured that the government would use all its resources to ensure their well-being.

There is no place for politics of any kind on relations with a close friend like China, he remarked.

He said he was well aware of problems, including the inflation and energy prices, being faced by the public at large.

For this, he said, the government had taken Rs50 billion out of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and allocated it for relief in energy prices to those using up to 200 units of electricity.

The premier also appeared supportive for those using 400 units and said they should also be given such relief. “We are really worried about the energy prices. And we are reassessing our priorities concerning Independent Power Producers,” he maintained.

 
Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) awarded to top Chinese general

Commander of the Ground Forces of the People's Liberation Army of China General Li Qiaoming was on Tuesday conferred the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, one of the top honours in Pakistan, for his "unwavering commitment" in promoting close cooperation between the militaries of the two all-weather friends.

Gen Li received the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) from President Asif Ali Zardari at a special ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, service chiefs and parliamentarians attended the event.

The citation at the ceremony highlighted General Li's four-decade career, noting his significant contributions to the Chinese military. His intellect, administrative skills, and dedication have earned him a reputation as a courageous and capable officer, crucial in promoting peace and stability in China and beyond.

 

Pakistan and China commit to strengthening cooperation across various sectors​


The agreement was reached during a meeting in Islamabad between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a high-level Chinese delegation led by Minister for Political and Legal Affairs, Chen Mingguo.

The meeting decided to conduct joint exercises of police and paramilitary forces in Gilgit-Baltistan or Xinjiang and train Gilgit-Baltistan police officers at the Xinjiang Police Academy.

Both ministers also agreed to take comprehensive measures against terrorism.

It was also decided that a Pakistani delegation, led by the Federal Secretary of Interior, would soon visit Xinjiang to enhance mutual cooperation.

Mohsin Naqvi said that Xinjiang province is of vital importance for Pakistan. He underscored that besides being Pakistan’s neighbor, we have a 600-kilometer-long border with Xinjiang.

He emphasized that Pakistan wants to completely eliminate smuggling of drugs, arms, and all other goods.

Minister Chen Mingyuo expressed the desire to enhance relations with Pakistan in all fields.

He highlighted that Pakistan can benefit from Xinjiang’s experience in counter-terrorism.

In a significant meeting held yesterday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with a high-level Chinese delegation led by Minister for Political and Legal Affairs Chen Mingguo to discuss enhancing cooperation in counterterrorism, cross-border efforts, and tackling smuggling and drug-related issues.

Both sides agreed to explore joint exercises between police and paramilitary forces in Gilgit-Baltistan or Xinjiang, and the training of Gilgit-Baltistan police officers at the Xinjiang Police Academy was also confirmed.

Chen highlighted Xinjiang’s own experience with terrorism and invited Naqvi to visit the region.

Naqvi emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Xinjiang due to its proximity to Pakistan’s 600-kilometre border and its strategic role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Chinese delegation included high-ranking officials from Xinjiang’s legal and police sectors.

Separately, Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong announced that China had trained 2,700 officers last year and plans to train an additional 3,000 officers globally, including from Pakistan, over the next 12 months.

Other than this, two major Chinese companies, Rainbow Industries Ltd. and Shaoxing Chemical Industry, have announced plans to establish plants in Pakistan to produce raw materials for the textile industry, facilitated by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

This investment aims to revitalize Pakistan's textile sector, bringing millions of dollars and advanced technology to boost growth.

Despite challenges such as high energy tariffs, the government is working on measures to mitigate these issues, including a 10-year duty-free machinery import scheme and establishing units in special economic zones for foreign investors.

The significance of the textile industry, contributing 55% to Pakistan’s exports and employing 45% of the manufacturing workforce, was highlighted at the "Nine Color & Chem Expo," which brought together over 300 exhibitors from countries including China, Malaysia, Türkiye, and Iran.

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has urged the government to reduce interest rates and energy costs, stressing the sector's potential to reach $50 billion in exports by 2030.

The textile industry’s dependency on cotton has been a challenge, with Pakistan’s cotton yield stagnating over the past 30 years, while countries like China have seen substantial growth in yield.

 

‘China at 75’ conference celebrates progress, explores future of Pakistan-China partnership​


The Pakistan-China Institute, chaired by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, convened an international conference on Monday titled "China at 75: A Journey of Progress, Transformation and Global Leadership." This event celebrated 75 years since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China and explored its impact on global geopolitics and economic development.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar served as the chief guest at the event, which brought together prominent figures including China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, noted economist Dr. Ishrat Hussain, and Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs.

Their collective insights aimed to shed light on China's transformative journey over the decades and its pivotal role in shaping international relations.

Senator Mushahid Hussain opened the conference by emphasising China’s peaceful rise as a significant narrative in the global arena.

He articulated the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, outlining the evolution of China’s journey in three distinct phases: Revolution, Reform, and Peaceful Rise. He pointed out that Pakistan stands firmly aligned with China as it navigates through the complexities of the Asian Century.

Ambassador Jiang Zaidong expressed gratitude for the participation of senior Pakistani leaders and highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a hallmark of China’s commitment to fostering shared prosperity. He voiced concerns regarding the security of Chinese projects in Pakistan, particularly in light of recent attacks on Chinese nationals and investments, and called for stronger measures to ensure the safety of these ventures.

In his keynote address, DPM Ishaq Dar celebrated China's rapid transformation, particularly its strides in climate action, digital innovation, and economic development. He reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for the One-China policy, highlighting its significance in maintaining regional stability.

Dar further underscored the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), dismissing perceptions of it as a debt trap and reinforcing its role as a catalyst for socio-economic growth in Pakistan.

Dr. Ishrat Hussain provided an in-depth analysis of China's transition from a command-driven economy to a market-oriented system, illustrating how this shift has propelled China into the global economic spotlight.

He noted that China's single-party governance model has facilitated swift decision-making and policy implementation, allowing it to tackle challenges effectively and achieve remarkable economic growth rates.

The conference also featured contributions from other notable speakers, including Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, who reiterated the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and China.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasised the significance of South-South cooperation in addressing common challenges and fostering mutual development.

Throughout the event, speakers acknowledged China’s leadership role in fostering economic partnerships, global stability, and addressing pressing issues such as climate change and poverty alleviation. They discussed how initiatives like the BRI have transformed infrastructure and connectivity, benefiting many developing nations, including Pakistan.

As the conference concluded, attendees expressed optimism about the future of Pakistan-China relations, advocating for deeper collaboration across various sectors, including trade, technology, and education. The event highlighted the shared vision of both nations to strengthen ties and work towards a prosperous future.

 
Warrior-VIII: Pak-China joint counter terrorism exercise kicks off

Joint Exercise Warrior-VIII between the Pakistan Army and the Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) of China kicked off on Wednesday in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the opening Ceremony of Pak – China Joint Exercise Warrior-VIII between the Pakistan Army and Peoples’ Liberation Army of China was conducted at the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), Pabbi, district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa today.

The Three-week long exercise in Counter Terrorism domain is 8th in the series of bilateral exercise being conducted annually.

The exercise is aimed at refining professional skills through joint training besides harnessing the historic military to military relations among the Iron Clad Brothers, said ISPR.

Lieutenant General Shahid Imtiaz, HI (M), Commander Rawalpindi Corps graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

 
China plans $1 billion investment in Pakistan’s medical city

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday invited China to invest in diverse sectors of Pakistan’s economy.

President Zardari made these remarks while speaking to a Chinese business delegation headed by Yang Yundong, the Chinese Consul General in Karachi.

The president said that it would further strengthen the two fraternal nations’ trade and economic relations. In order to boost bilateral trade and economic ties, he emphasized the necessity of improved communication between the citizens of the two nations, particularly between investors and companies.

The Chinese delegation indicated interest in investing $1 billion to build a medical city in Pakistan in order to improve the country’s healthcare system,

The delegation also expressed interest to invest in diverse sectors of Pakistan’s economy, especially agriculture, livestock, energy, transport, and manufacturing.

Welcoming the delegation, the President said that Pakistan and China shared commonalities of interest and views on important issues, besides enjoying deep-rooted and historic brotherly ties.

The president said Pakistan and China have been close friends for decades, and it was his vision to develop Gwadar Port into a regional trade and economic hub that would not only improve regional connectivity but would also boost regional trade and economic cooperation.

President Zardari said that Pakistan would welcome Chinese investors and prefer to do business with China.

He said Pakistan is committed to facilitating and supporting Chinese investors in every possible way.

The president highlighted that Chinese language courses have been introduced in Sindh, which would prove to be an important step towards strengthening people-to-people and cultural linkages between Pakistan and China.

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and provincial ministers also attended the meeting.

 

Pakistan, China discuss future collaboration on digital innovation​


Pakistan and China have expressed a shared interest in advancing collaboration in the field of digital technology during a visit by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to Beijing's iSoftStone Information Technology Park on Wednesday, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday.

The two sides discussed potential cooperation in IT development and the implementation of innovative digital solutions. Minister Iqbal delivered a presentation on integrating technology into the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

During the visit, Iqbal toured the company's headquarters and exhibition area, where he was shown demonstrations of the latest products, services, and technological solutions offered by iSoftStone.

The minister was also briefed on the company’s business expansion efforts in the Middle East and Central Asia, further highlighting the potential for regional partnerships. The discussions marked a significant step in fostering stronger digital ties between the two nations.

 
Pakistan, China reaffirm deepening strategic cooperative partnership

Pakistan and China reiterated their commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC 2.0) high-quality development, with a focus on renewable energy, agriculture, livelihood projects, industry, and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Beijing served as the venue for the fifth meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination (JWG-ICC). According to a news release from the Foreign Office, Vice Foreign Minister of China Sun Weidong and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch co-chaired the meeting.

The crucial role that CPEC plays in fostering regional connectivity, win-win collaboration, and shared prosperity—including through collaborations with other nations—was also recognized at the summit.

The two sides reviewed with satisfaction the progress made since the fourth meeting of the JWG-ICC held in Islamabad on 21 January 2024.

The foreign secretary described CPEC as the cornerstone of China-Pakistan economic cooperation as well as a shining symbol of the enduring friendship between the two countries.

The Chinese vice foreign minister highlighted the mutually reinforcing relationship of the five new corridors introduced under CPEC 2.0, namely growth, livelihood, innovation, open and green corridor with Pakistan’s national development framework centered on 5 E’s namely, Exports, E-Pakistan, Energy, Environment and Equity.

The two sides expressed the resolve to deepen cooperation in the fields of media, cultural exchanges and people-to-people linkages to accelerate the building of China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era.

Meanwhile in a fourth round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC), the two countries noted with satisfaction the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, in accordance with the consensus reached between the leaderships of the two countries.

The dourth round of BPC was held in Beijing as Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch led the Pakistan delegation, while Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong led the Chinese side, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release, on Saturday.

The two sides also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues and agreed to further enhance their mutual coordination and consultations, including through high-level exchanges and dialogue mechanisms.

Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch described Pakistan-China relationship as special and unique and noted that the government and people of Pakistan deeply cherished the enduring friendship between the two countries.

The meeting also reviewed the entire spectrum of practical cooperation between the two countries, with a special focus on the projects driving the high-quality development of CPEC 2.0.

“Both sides agreed to further deepen their mutual partnerships in sectors such as information technology, agriculture and clean energy, driven by the concept of win-win cooperation and pursuit of people centric, inclusive development. The two sides underscored the need to strengthen their mutual coordination at the multilateral forums, including at the United Nations Security Council,” it was further added.

Later, the foreign secretary also held a meeting with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. They exchanged views on Pakistan-China relations as well as on regional and international issues of common interest.

 

Pakistani, Chinese companies ink $250 million MoUs to boost medical sector​


Pakistani and Chinese companies have signed pacts worth around $250 million to boost trade in the medical and surgical sector, according to media reports on Saturday.

The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed at the China-Pakistan B2B conference in the medical equipment and surgical instrument sector in Beijing on Friday, reported Radio Pakistan.

This collaboration aims to steer more Chinese companies to engage in trade and set up joint ventures in Pakistan in the medical instrument sector, the report stated. The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported that Pakistan's embassy in Beijing confirmed the signing of three MoUs during the conference.

The embassy said it hosted, in collaboration with the Board of Investment (BOI), the sixth moot in a series of sector-specific B2B matchmaking meetings focused on investment partnerships between Pakistan and China in the medical sector.

Over 80 Chinese companies and associations and more than 20 Pakistani companies participated both in person and online, it noted.

APP, quoting China Economic Net (CEN), said that the Silk Road Assistance Industrial Internet Platform a provider of advisory services for companies to do cross-border businesses signed MoUs with Pakistan's dental and surgical instrument manufacturer Sawuat, as well as Chinese pharmaceutical company UPH Biopharma.

On the occasion, Pakistan's ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi highlighted the growing potential of the medical industry in Pakistan, saying it was valued at over $ 600 million.

He announced the holding of the fourth three-day Health, Engineering, and Minerals Show in Lahore on April 17.

Friday's conference marked the conclusion of the first series of seven B2B events held since Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to China last June. Another seven roadshows were in the pipeline and were expected to roll out from next month, the report added.

During PM Shehbaz's visit, 32 MoUs were agreed upon to promote trade and investment between the neighbours.

 
Pakistan, China resolve to strengthen bilateral ties as Dar meets Chinese ambassador

Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Tuesday, the Foreign Office said.

A day earlier, the FO rejected “baseless and unfounded” allegations targeting Pakistan’s commitment to China’s policies, stressing that Beijing continued to be Islamabad’s “all-weather strategic partner”.

The development came in response to growing criticism of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s participation in an event sponsored by the New Federal State of China (NFSC), an anti-China group. The FO described the One-China Policy as a consistent cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, emphasising that the country’s stance remains the same.

Pakistan has held strong bilateral relations with China which has supported it through many investments and development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project which was termed as a “lifeline” for the country’s economy.

During today’s meeting, Dar and the Chinese ambassador reaffirmed the partnership, which was termed a “cornerstone of bilateral relations” between the two countries.

The progress of CPEC 2.0 was reviewed during the meeting, and both sides also expressed their commitment to further solidify their strategic partnership.

Ambassador Jiang, on behalf of Chinese Foreign Minister H E Wang Yi, extended an invitation to Dar to attend a UN Security Council event ‘Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance’ being hosted by China under its presidency of the UNSC, on February 18 in New York.

The deputy prime minister accepted the invitation, “underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral cooperation.”

DAWN NEWS
 

Pakistan, China agree to strengthen intelligence sharing​


Pakistan and China have agreed to enhance intelligence sharing and security cooperation, following a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Chinese counterpart, Qiu Yanjun, in Beijing.

During the meeting, discussions focused on securing borders for paramilitary forces and enhancing cooperation in this regard. Both sides also deliberated on the use of advanced technology for police and paramilitary forces.

The two officials held detailed discussions on acquiring modern equipment and technology from China to strengthen Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies.

Mohsin Naqvi emphasised that Pakistan would procure cutting-edge technology and equipment to enhance policing capabilities.

Additionally, both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration between the National Police Academy and enhance cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad police forces.

The leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the January meeting of the Joint Working Group.

The high-level discussion between the two ministers lasted for two hours.

On this occasion, Mohsin Naqvi extended an official invitation to his Chinese counterpart to visit Pakistan.

 
China, Pakistan both focused on KKH, ML-1 completion: Chinese consul general

The Chinese Consul General Yang Yundong said on Friday that both China and Pakistan were focused at the completion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) and the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project.

Pakistan has held strong bilateral relations with China which has supported it through many investments and development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was termed as a “lifeline” for the country’s economy.

In September last year, China agreed to assist Pakistan in completing four major projects in the transportation and communications sectors.

Both countries were set to work together in completing ML-1, M-6 and M-9 projects along with the second phase of KKH and the construction of Kaghan-Naran, Jhal Khand, Babusar Top and Tunnel till KKH.

Speaking at a press briefing for ‘Two Sessions for 2025’ at the Consulate General of China, Yang said, “Both sides are working very hard to complete these projects.”

“The new international airport in Gwadar, which was completed only last year, will also contribute in opening more opportunities,” he said, adding, “Both China and Pakistan are encouraging more ships to use the Gwadar Port for trade.”

The ‘Two Sessions’ marked an annual event pivotal to China’s economic and social development. Yang revealed that China achieved the major targets and tasks set for the year’s economic and social development in 2024.

“Chinese modernisation has made significant new achievements, with high-quality development advancing steadily and new productive forces developing robustly,” he said, adding that China anticipated GDP growth of around 5 per cent.

“At the same time, China will continue to expand high-standard opening up to the outside world and promote the deep and substantive advancement of the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative,” he added.

“These important measures will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for the world through the new developments of Chinese modernisation.”

He further said that major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics had opened new horizons, and international cooperation achieved fresh progress for China.

“This year’s government work report emphasised that China will adhere to an independent and peaceful foreign policy, remain committed to the path of peaceful development, and steadfastly pursue an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation,” he continued.

“China is willing to work with countries around the world to jointly advance an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, uphold and practice true multilateralism, actively address major global challenges, and provide new development opportunities for the world,”

The Chinese official said that 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Pakistan, adding that the two countries would celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

China-Pakistan relations are at an important juncture and development opportunity, he said.

He continued, “The two countries and their peoples should seize this opportunity to further enhance communication and coordination, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and upgrade the CPEC.

“Together, we will take firm steps towards modernisation, accelerate the construction of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and jointly create a more prosperous and stable future.”

ML-1 railway line, from Karachi to Peshawar, is a crucial component of CPEC. Both China and Pakistan had renewed commitment in October 2024 to advancing the upgrade of the ML-1 line project.

Earlier, Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi said that the government might fund the ML-1 main line in case no international funding or partners. His statement came at a time when the government and the ministry of railways were expecting a long-awaited visit of the high-powered technical team from China by the end of March.

DAWN NEWS
 
China holds first trilateral meeting with Pakistan and Bangladesh

China, Bangladesh and Pakistan held their first trilateral meeting at the official level in China's Kunming. The meeting took place on Thursday and was attended by key representatives from all three countries.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladeshi Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique and Additional Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Imran Ahmed Siddiqui participated in the meeting in person. Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joined the first phase of the discussions via video link.

In her remarks, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch appreciated China for organising the inaugural meeting of the trilateral mechanism. She said, “The Chinese side has done well in convening the inaugural meeting of the trilateral mechanism.”

Noting the shared goals of the three nations, she said, “There are common aspirations of the three sides for people-centric development.” She added that Pakistan seeks “deeper engagement between China and South Asian countries”.

Baloch also noted the positive momentum in Pakistan-China bilateral relations and said Islamabad was ready to boost cooperation with Islamabad and Dhaka in multiple areas.

She further said Pakistan was ready to work with China and Bangladesh to enhance ties in trade and investment, agriculture and digital economy.

 
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