A joint statement by Pakistan and China regarding the meetings, agreements and memorandums of understanding signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China has been issued.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid an official visit to China from May 23 to 26. During this visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. On the occasion of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China, celebrations were held to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
According to the joint statement, the two countries agreed to maintain close communication with each other on the issue of Afghanistan and agreed to further strengthen strategic cooperation between Pakistan and China.
The joint statement states that the banned TTP, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and any group will not be allowed to use any land to harm regional security, and no group will be allowed to carry out terrorist activities.
According to the joint statement, Pakistan reiterated its full support for the One China policy and said that Pakistan fully supports China on the Taiwan issue.
On the other hand, China reiterated its unwavering support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and security and agreed to develop CPEC 2.0 to a high standard and make Gwadar Port a regional connectivity hub.
According to the statement, it was decided to complete the Karakoram Highway Thakot-Raikot project in phases, further strengthen Pak-China land connectivity through Khunjerab Pass, invite other countries to join CPEC projects, while it was agreed to increase industrial cooperation in the textile and home appliances sectors, and it was decided to increase cooperation between Pakistan and China in the minerals, oil and gas sectors.
During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, China expressed its willingness to provide more access to Pakistani agricultural products. It was agreed to increase cooperation between the two countries in artificial intelligence, digital economy and technology. China will provide 3,000 training opportunities for Pakistan from 2025 to 2029. During this time, it was also agreed to train two Pakistani astronauts in China. In this way, Pakistani astronauts can become the first foreign astronauts to visit China’s space station.
During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, China expressed its willingness to provide more access to Pakistani agricultural products. It was agreed to increase cooperation between the two countries in artificial intelligence, digital economy and technology. China will provide 3,000 training opportunities for Pakistan from 2025 to 2029. During this time, it was also agreed to train two Pakistani astronauts in China. In this way, Pakistani astronauts can become the first foreign astronauts to visit China’s space station.
The joint statement said that Pakistan and China agreed to further enhance defense and counter-terrorism cooperation, expressed their determination to further strengthen the security of Chinese citizens and projects in Pakistan, and reiterated Pakistan and China’s support for the central role of the United Nations, including opposing double standards against terrorism, and both countries emphasized the importance of peace and stability in South Asia.
Furthermore, China supported Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Security Council and Pakistan’s efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Iran and the United States.
