• Shehbaz to meet Chinese leadership, review strategic partnership, discuss regional and global developments
• Bilawal says CPEC to build greater connectivity across SCO region

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Beijing on Tuesday on his maiden visit to the neighbouring country with the basic purpose of revitalising the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), seeking investment in various sectors in Pakistan and increasing bilateral trade.

According to the Prime Minister Office (PMO), the prime minister, during his visit, will meet the Chinese leadership and review the all-weather strategic partnership and discuss regional and global developments.

Upon his arrival at the Beijing airport, PM Sharif was accorded a red carpet welcome as smartly-turned out contingents of the Chinese forces presented him with a guard of honour, the PMO statement said.

During his first official visit to China after assuming office in April, the premier will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. He is heading a high-level delegation, including federal ministers, special assistants as well as the Sindh chief minister.

The PM is among the first world leaders to visit China following the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China that elected Xi Jinping as the party’s general secretary.

Prime Minister Sharif is also scheduled to meet Chinese investors and Pakistani businessmen. The visit is expected to advance the wide-ranging bilateral cooperation agenda with the conclusion of a number of memoranda of understanding/agreements in diverse areas, and consolidate the momentum of CPEC cooperation in the wake of the 11th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) held on Oct 27.

The coalition government in Islamabad has already accused the previous Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government of slowing down the pace of CPEC rather putting it “in the doldrums”.

China’s ‘economic miracle’

Earlier, the prime minister had said in a tweet that during his visit, he would hold discussions with the Chinese leadership on strengthening of bilateral relations, particularly revitalization of the multi-billion-dollar CPEC project. He said the second phase of the project promised to usher in a new era of socio-economic progress that would uplift the quality of people’s lives.

“There is a lot to learn from Chinese economic miracle,” he tweeted, stressing that his discussions with the Chinese leadership would focus on revitalization of the CPEC among many other things.

Mr Sharif also said he was honoured to be among the first few leaders to have been invited after the “historic” 20th National Congress of China’s Communist Party.

“At a time when the world is grappling with multiple challenges, Pakistan and China stand together as friends and partners,” he said.

‘CPEC to supplement SCO vision’

Over in Beijing, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the CPEC was significant in supplementing the vision of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), aimed at ensuring shared prosperity through regional connectivity and integration.

Addressing at the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the SCO, the minister said the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative would build greater connectivity across the SCO region and help unlock the economic potential of intra-SCO cooperation, as reported by APP.

The meeting was virtually hosted by China, as the current Chair of the SCO CHG, and attended by the heads of governments of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as well as representatives from SCO observer states.

The foreign minister emphasized the importance of enhancing economic and trade cooperation between SCO member states. Reaffirming the importance Pakistan attached to the forum, the foreign minister highlighted actions taken by Pakistan under various agreements and projects for advancing regional cooperation based on principles enunciated in the ‘Shanghai Spirit’.

Sharing Pakistan’s experience of several successful initiatives to alleviate poverty, he also announced that the first meeting of the SCO Special Working Group on Poverty Alleviation would be held in Islamabad in December.

Commenting on the importance of achieving lasting peace and security in the region for economic development, Mr Bhutto-Zardari stressed the need to address the scourge of terrorism in all its manifestations, including state terrorism. He also underlined the importance of sustained and practical engagement with Afghanistan.

Obstacles removed

Meanwhile, regarding the PM’s visit to China, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb was confident it would give impetus to the CPEC as envisioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, APP reported that she regretted the multi-billion-dollar project was “halted” during the PTI government, adding not even a single meeting of the JCC was held during its tenure. She claimed the present government had removed all obstacles in the way of Chinese investment and put all the halted projects back on track.

Ironically, she said, PTI chief Imran Khan had once again launched a long march “to spread chaos and anarchy” when the prime minister left for China. During the visit, new accords would be signed with focus on the progress of ongoing projects, she added.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2022