ISLAMABAD, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating cooperation under CPEC 2.0, with a focus on agriculture, information technology, industrial development, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and the mines and minerals sector.
The Chinese ambassador called on the Prime Minister at the Prime Minister House, where both sides reviewed progress in Pakistan-China relations and discussed the implementation of key decisions reached during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his warm regards to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and recalled his recent engagements with the Chinese leadership, describing them as highly productive and substantive.
Emphasizing the importance of translating diplomatic engagements into practical outcomes, the Prime Minister called for immediate follow-up on agreements and understandings reached during the visit. He also stressed the need for timely implementation of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between Pakistani and Chinese companies during the Business-to-Business Investment Conference in Hangzhou.
The meeting underscored the strategic significance of CPEC 2.0 as the next phase of economic cooperation between the two countries, aimed at boosting investment, industrialization, technological collaboration, and sustainable economic growth.
The two sides also discussed expediting the Karakoram Highway (KKH) realignment project, strengthening cooperation in security, counter-terrorism, and defence, and enhancing economic and financial collaboration. Regional developments and evolving international issues also featured prominently in the discussions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Ambassador Jiang Zaidong’s efforts in facilitating the success of his recent visit to China and noted that both countries must work closely to ensure the effective implementation of decisions taken by their leadership.
Ambassador Jiang congratulated the Prime Minister on Eid ul Adha and on the successful China visit, reiterating Beijing’s commitment to its “iron-clad” friendship with Pakistan. He assured the Prime Minister that China remains ready to deepen cooperation across all sectors and further strengthen the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.
The meeting reflected the continued momentum in Pakistan-China relations, with both sides signaling a renewed focus on economic cooperation, connectivity, and regional stability.
