Prime Minister’s Meeting with Premier Li Keqiang

November 02,2022

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held wide-ranging talks with Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of China, at Great Hall of the People in Beijing today. The exchange of views particularly covered bilateral economic partnership between the two countries and forward trajectory of CPEC.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by ministers and senior officials including Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister for Finance Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Board of Investment Ch. Salik Hussain, Minister for Communications Moulana Asad Mehmood,Minister for Defence Production Muhammad Israr Tareen, Minister for Information Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Planning & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah among others.

On his arrival at the Great Hall of the People, the Prime Minister was received by Premier Li Keqiang. A grand ceremony was held followed by delegation level talks between the two sides.

The Prime Minister thanked Premier Li for extending warm welcome on his first bilateral visit to China after assuming office. He extended felicitations on the successful organization of 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and thanked him for his personal efforts for deepening of friendly ties between the two sides. 

Underlining the importance of China-Pakistan‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the rapidly expanding bilateral relationship in diverse fields of cooperation. 

The Prime Minister thanked Premier Li for the generous and timely support for the flood-affected people in Pakistan. He stated that in the wake of floods, the outpouring of sympathy and support from all across China was touching and a true reflection of our unique friendship.

Prime Minister emphasized that expeditious completion of CPEC projects was the foremost priority of his government as this transformational project was pivotal to accelerating Pakistan’s socio-economic development and prosperity. Prime Minister Li was apprised of the actions undertaken by Pakistan to fast track launching of several CPEC projects. Acknowledging the key significance of ML-I and Karachi Circular Railway, the two sides agreed to advance the process of their implementation at the earliest.

The Prime Minister also lauded the potential of GDI for the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and for inclusive, win-wincooperation between the two sides. He thanked Premier Li Keqiang for identifying Pakistan as a priority partner under GDI.

Exchanging views on the regional security situation, the Prime Minister highlighted the egregious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as well as the importance of urgent action by the international community to alleviate sufferings of the Kashmiri people. He thanked China for its principle support on the Kashmir dispute.

The two leaders agreed to work closely forfurther deepening strategic communication andbilateral economic engagement and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the multifaceted strategic cooperative ties for building the Pakistan-China Community of Shared Future in the New Era.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of MoUs/Agreements for deepening ties in several fields of cooperation. 

02 November 2022

Beijing.