Pakistan, China agree to upgrade CPEC, advance development in 2ns phase

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment for safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. He was talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a long and in-depth discussion at historic Great Hall of the People in Beijing today. The Prime Minister expressed the resolve for high-quality development of CPEC and foster synergy between the development strategies of the two countries through close coordination. He briefed the Chinese President about Pakistan's policies for economic reform and sustained growth, industrial development, agricultural modernization and regional connectivity. Shehbaz Sharif underlined his government's agenda for people centric, socio-economic development which resonates with China's concept of 'shared prosperity'. Commending President Xi's visionary Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative, the Prime Minister underscored that China Pakistan Economic Corridor has significantly contributed to P akistan's socio-economic development. The two leaders reaffirmed the consensus to high-quality development and upgradation of CPEC and timely completion of major ongoing projects in the second phase. The two leaders also upheld the time-honored 'All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership' and committed to further deepen cooperation across diverse domains ranging from political and security to economic, trade, and people-to- people exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments including Afghanistan, Palestine and South Asia including the serious human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The two sides reiterated their longstanding support on each other's issues of core interest. Source: Radio Pakistan