Li Keqiang, the premier of China, reminded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday that Beijing not only saw Pakistan as a strategic ally but also as being of “utmost significance” to the region and China.
According to a statement from the PM’s Office, the two premiers had a lengthy phone chat on Thursday during which they covered a variety of topics about their respective countries and the region. The Chinese leader reiterated Pakistan’s significance in the region as the conversation came to a successful conclusion.
The two leaders’ conversation was marked by “warmth and cordiality,” keeping with the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’s traditions between Pakistan and China.
The press release stated that the two premiers exchanged New Year’s greetings and highlighted that bilateral relations between the two states had reached new heights in the previous year. It also stated that the two decided to keep the momentum of bilateral cooperation going in 2023.
They spoke on the phone about regional issues of shared interest, PM Shehbaz’s travel to China in November 2022, and the extensive discussions that he, Premier Li, and Chinese President Xi Jinping had.
According to the press release, “The PM emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to building deeper relations with China and repeated Pakistan’s unstinting support on China’s key interests.”
Prime Minister
The prime minister brought up the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during the discussion and emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the timely completion of CPEC projects.
The prime minister gave his Chinese colleague assurances that Pakistan would offer Chinese investors a perfectly secure and favorable business environment.
The Chinese president had informed PM Shehbaz during his two-day state visit to China in November 2022 that China will continue to support Pakistan in stabilizing its financial position.
Pakistan and China will expedite the development of the Gwadar Sea Port’s infrastructure and bring the construction of the economic corridor forward more effectively.
PM Shehbaz briefed Premier Li on the most recent developments in Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation in the wake of the devastating monsoon floods that shook the nation while also discussing the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan that is taking place in Geneva on January 9th.
According to a news statement, “the prime minister expressed Pakistan’s sincere thanks for China’s swift and substantial support for the flood-affected people.”
While Premier Li gave the Prime Minister reassurance that China would continue to assist Pakistan’s reconstruction efforts and the Conference’s success.
To advance the bilateral cooperation agenda for the mutual benefit of the people of Pakistan and China in 2023 and beyond, both presidents committed to keeping in regular contact.