Pakistan, China Reaffirm Strategic Partnership

By Aamir LatifKARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan and China on Sunday inked multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse areas with Beijing reaffirming its "all-weather strategic cooperative partnership" with Islamabad.The agreements were inked during delegation-level talks held between Prime Minister Imran Khan and visiting Vice President of China Wang Qishan in Islamabad, said a statement from prime minister house. In addition to that, several projects were also inaugurated. "Reaffirming all-weather strategic cooperative partnership' between Pakistan and China, the two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and expressed the resolve to further strengthen bilateral relations in all spheres -- including political, economic and trade, and people-to-people exchanges", the statement added. Reiterating Pakistan's unwavering commitment to $64 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, Khan highlighted the extension of the project CPEC into new areas of agriculture, industrial development, and socio-economic uplift. The economic corridor will not only provide China cheaper access to Africa and the Middle East but will also earn Pakistan billions of dollars for providing transit facilities to the world's second largest economy.The Chinese Vice President, for his part, reiterated China's strong support for the agenda of socio-economic uplift and people-centered development, the statement said adding "the two sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, including recent developments in South Asia. The Vice President lauded Pakistan's constructive approach and new initiatives for forging peaceful and cooperative relations in the neighborhood. He expressed China's appreciation for Pakistan's sustained and successful efforts in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed China's steadfast support in that regard.The MoUs/agreements signed included, Famework Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation, Letter of Exchange for Disaster Relief Goods, and China-Pakistan Economic Agreement. Whereas, the projects inaugurated were the 660 KV HVDC Transmission Project, the Rashakai Special Economic Zone Project, the Huawei Technical Support Center and Confucius Institute at University of Punjab, Lahore.China's vice president arrived in Islamabad earlier on Sunday for an official three-day visit. -