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ISLAMABAD

M I A N A B R A R

CH I N A and Pakistan on Monday signed six agreements for the promotion of bilateral cooperation as Chinese vice premier Mr He Lifeng, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Bilawal BhuttoZardari, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and other foreign dignitaries looked on

On the occasion Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is absolutely ready to contribute towards Chinese President Xi Jinping s vision of the shared destiny of progress and prosperity

The premier made these remarks during the signing ceremony of six agreements and MoUs for the promotion of bilateral cooperation between China and Pakistan

PM Shehbaz said that the documents signed by the two countries were aimed at further enhancing economic relations between the two countries

He added that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) more than $25 billion worth of investment has taken place in Pakistan s power and hydel sector road infrastructure and public transport

Shehbaz maintained, We are now entering the second phase of the CPEC which will envisage investments in sectors, such as, agriculture and information technology ”

He added that both ML-1 and Karachi circular railway projects are of immense importance expressing the confidence that both sides will successfully achieve these and many other projects” He was also confident that this will help Pakistan stand on its own feet”

The premier said both Pakistan and China enjoy a unique relationship adding We are all-weather friends iron brothers and this friendship will continue and will not tolerate any obstacles in its way”

The two countries have signed six agreements and MoUs for the promotion of bilateral cooperation The first document was signed on the joint cooperation committee (JCC) of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the second document was related to the establishment of an expert exchange mechanism within the framework of CPEC

The third document was signed by the Secretary Ministry of National Food Security Zafar Hassan and the Chinese Charge

D affaires Ms Pang Chunxue for the export of dried Chillies from Pakistan to China

Member Planning of National Highway

Authority Asim Amin and Chinese Charge

D affaires Pang Chunxue signed the fourth document on the realignment of the Karakoram Highway Phase II project

Addressing the occasion, PM Shehbaz said, “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 gesture demonstrates the strength of our friendship

I have no doubt that we are entering into the second phase of CPEC Today, we have signed some important documents which will enhance our economic cooperation and we will undertake the second phase under a new mode he told the gathering

The PM highlighted that the agreements would lead to investments in agriculture and IT, enabling Pakistan, with China s support, to export items according to the requirements and standards of the Chinese government

He emphasised “The CPEC was signed by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping and it was implemented promptly Today, we can claim that under the CPEC, more than $25bn investment took place in power, energy, public transport, and other sectors ”

He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese vice premier for visiting Pakistan as the two countries celebrate ten years of the