Pakistan & China Revive CPEC Phase 2.
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, was entering its second phase However, several nations were aiming to skip Pakistan in this connecting procedure.
I have no doubt that Pakistan and China will fill the gap, and this corridor… will extend in various ways to embrace the entire region and other areas of the world, he said at a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of CPEC.
The ceremony’s principal guest was Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who came to Pakistan yesterday for a three-day visit.
Shehbaz praised the Chinese vice premier for visiting Pakistan and participating in the celebrations during his speech.
He described Lifeng as the “lynchpin” in extending collaboration and assistance for CPEC in its early days, and as “very helpful” in guaranteeing the project’s timely operations.
In reference to Sunday’s “devastating” terror incident in Bajaur, he stated that terrorism was also a topic of mutual collaboration between Pakistan and China.
The prime minister praised China for its assistance at “this critical juncture” by extending financing. “Pakistan wants to move away from loans, aid, and handouts and stand on its own two feet,” he said.
Speaking before him, Chinese Vice Premier Lifeng referred to CPEC as an “important pioneering project” of the Belt and Road Initiative, noting that China and Pakistan had achieved many “early harvests” in the project, providing new impetus to the latter’s socioeconomic development and laying the groundwork for regional integration and connectivity.
It exemplifies our all-weather relationship and gives us a crucial chance to develop a close Pakistan-China community.
He stated that China will cooperate with Pakistan to achieve high standards, sustainable and livelihood-enhancing outputs, better overall planning, and extend and deepen their bilateral connection to make CPEC a high-quality project.
No matter how the regional scene changes, China will always stand solidly with Pakistan, working hand in hand and forging ahead with sincerity to carry forth our iron friendship.
The Chinese vice premier provided updates on the state of major CPEC projects, stating that the project had become a significant engine of regional economic growth and had set a model of mutual trust and common development.
CPEC has fostered growth, offered shared advantages, and become a corridor of welfare and prosperity over the decades, he said, adding that the road ahead for Pakistan would be broader and the prospects for its development will be brighter.
Hilal-i-Pakistan received on Lifeng
Earlier today, President Arif Alvi bestowed on Lifeng Pakistan’s second-highest civil honour, the Hilal-i-Pakistan (Crescent of Pakistan), during an investiture ceremony at Islamabad’s Aiwan-e-Sadar.
The award was granted to the Chinese dignitary in recognition of his efforts in promoting bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.
PM Shehbaz and other civil and military authorities attended the occasion.
Lifeng also met with Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir, according to the military’s public relations department, and the two addressed areas of mutual interest and defence cooperation.
According to the Inter-Services Public Cooperation, both expressed their intention to further develop and deepen bilateral cooperation in all domains.
Pakistan and China have signed six agreements.
China and Pakistan inked six agreements Thursday to promote bilateral cooperation. PM Shehbaz, the Chinese vice premier, international Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and other international dignitaries attended the occasion.
PM Shehbaz addressed the event, saying, “I thank the Chinese president for sending his senior official to Pakistan, expressing the solidarity of people-to-people friendship between the two countries.” This act exemplifies the depth of our relationship.
I am confident that we are approaching the second phase of CPEC. Today, we signed several key accords that will strengthen our economic cooperation, and we will begin the second phase in a fresh way, he informed the audience.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the agreements will result in investments in agricultural and information technology, allowing Pakistan to export commodities in accordance with Chinese government criteria and standards with China’s backing.
He stressed that the CPEC was signed by then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping and that it was quickly executed.
Today, we can say that more than $25 billion was invested in electricity, energy, public transportation, and other areas as a result of the CPEC.
He also thanked the Chinese vice premier for visiting Pakistan as the two nations marked the tenth anniversary of the CPEC.
Following the event, PM Shehbaz and He Lifeng conducted delegation-level talks covering a wide range of bilateral issues.
PM greets Chinese Vice Premier
The Chinese vice premier was greeted warmly when he arrived at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Monday morning to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The premier greeted the foreign dignitary at the PM House’s front door.
When He Lifeng arrived, the prime minister presented him to his delegation, which included federal cabinet members Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Ahsan Iqbal, Saad Rafiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Tariq Fatemi, and Hina Rabbani Khar.
Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister “warmly welcomed” the Chinese Vice Premier and his team.
They are coming to Pakistan to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CPEC and to see firsthand the transformations brought about by this game-changing project, said Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Previously, the FO recognised Lifeng’s “prominent role” in China’s foreign economic ties and the Belt and Road Initiative, of which CPEC is a flagship project.
According to the FO, he was instrumental in the planning and execution of numerous CPEC projects in Pakistan as the chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission from 2017 to 2023.
It went on to say that his visit was part of regular high-level exchanges and dialogue between Pakistan and China and that it reflected the importance both countries place on supporting high-quality CPEC development and exploring new options for boosting trade and investment linkages.
Islamabad’s security has been increased.
According to security officials, around 2,716 police, Dolphin Force, Frontier Constabulary, and Pakistan Army soldiers would be deployed to maintain perfect protection along the road and sites where the Chinese vice premier will stay and attend the event.
In addition to the Islamabad police, the Rawalpindi police will provide protection throughout the 39.5-kilometre journey from Islamabad International Airport to the Punjab House.
According to the information, the security tasks will be carried out by 10 superintendents, 18 security superintendents, and 104 Dolphin Force troops. Before the transit of dignitaries, the police’s particular branch’s bomb disposal unit will sweep all bridges, culverts, underpasses, nullahs, metro bus stations, and other locations along the route.
During the moves, no vehicles will be parked along the road, and security authorities will report any suspicious people or vehicles to higher officers.
Reflective clothing, raincoats, bulletproof helmets and jackets, whistles, and flashlights will be carried by security officers stationed along the route. At sensitive sites highlighted in the security plan, extra security will be provided. They will not be permitted to use mobile phones and will be required to present their official identification cards at all times.
Police officers will also be stationed on high-rise building roofs. Binoculars, wireless sets, and G-3 guns will be provided.
The Islamabad Safe City Authority has set up a specialised command and control centre to oversee security measures during the delegation’s mobility and stay.
