BEIJING: President Mamnoon Hussain said on Thursday that Pakistan and China had forged a consensus on various infrastructure and energy projects and were determined for their effective implementation and timely completion.

The president expressed these views during a meeting with China’s Executive Vice Premier and Member of Standing Committee of Political Bureau of Communist Party Zhang Gaoli at the Diaoyutai State Guest House here.

President Hussain said that forging greater regional connectivity through infrastructure development and transnational trade was key to prosperity and that it would bring progress not just in Pakistan and China but in the entire region.

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He stressed the need for promoting people-to-people contacts between China and Pakistan.

President Hussain lauded President Xi’s vision of ‘One Belt, One Road’ that includes the ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’ and ‘Maritime Silk Route’ and welcomed the establishment of the Silk Road Fund.

He also congratulated China for establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Executive Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli thanked President Hussain for attending events being held in China.

He said that in a world full of challenges, China was ready to work with Pakistan and other countries to jointly advance peace.

Mr Zhang termed President Hussain a “veteran statesman” who was committed to promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and China.

He said that Pakistan was China’s all-weather friend and a partner as the two countries had a history of sincere friendship.

He said that China supported counter-terrorism operations being conducted by the Pakistan government for eliminating terrorists and expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by Pakistan for the protection and safety of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan.

He expressed the hope that the agreements signed during President Xi’s visit to Pakistan would be implemented for development and prosperity.

He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would help promote industrial development and create big employment opportunities for the people of Pakistan.

He said he was personally monitoring the implementation of the CPEC projects and added that the plan would take care of short- and long-term needs of the two countries.

Mr Zhang said that China was determined to take this initiative forward, adding that he was committed to completing the projects within the time period fixed for them.

President Hussain expressed satisfaction that working groups on energy, transport, infrastructure and Gwadar were making progress, adding that Pakistan needed China’s continuous support for quick completion of the projects.

He extended an invitation to Mr Zhang to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

Later, Mr Zhang hosted a reception in honour of President Hussain. Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Ambassador to China Masood Khalid and China’s ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong were present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2015

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