Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday agreed to further enhance their bilateral bonds, including the full realization of potential offered by Phase-II from the free trade agreement to overcome economic headwinds.
Both leaders reviewed bilateral bonds and cooperation during telephone conversations Prime Minister Imran had President XI, PM office said in a statement.
Khan appreciated the success of China from Pandemic Covid-19 and relief measures for developing countries, including vaccine cooperation with Pakistan, he said.
“Taking a stock of the Covid-19 negative impact on the global economy, the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral and commercial economic relations, including the full realization of the potential offered by the phase-II of the China-Pakistan free trade agreement, to overcome economic headwinds,” he said.
The Prime Minister has praised a successful, timely and high-quality implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, and welcomed Chinese investment in the CPEC special economic zone.
He also emphasized that the beginning of the initial work on the ML-1 train project would complement the Pakistani Geo-Economic Vision for national and regional development.
Both leaders agreed to promote the development of CPEC green as high-quality demonstrations of belts and Chinese road initiatives.
The ambitious CPEC was launched in 2015 when President XI visited Pakistan.
It aims to connect Western China with Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan through road networks, trains and other projects of infrastructure and development.
While recognizing China took the main role in fighting climate change, Khan also briefed President XI about the broad steps of Pakistan carried out for mitigation and adaptation of climate change, including ten billion tree tsunami initiatives – landmark projects supported by the UN Environment Program – which set To plant ten billion trees in 2023.
The discussion also turned towards Afghanistan.
Both leaders call on the international community to provide immediate humanitarian and economic assistance and sustainable involvement to rebuild a torn country.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the need to continue the momentum of high-level exchanges to diversify “all weather strategic cooperative partnerships” between the two countries.
Through a conversation trip, Khan congratulated President XI in the Centenary of the Chinese Communist Party, a unprecedented victory in the battle of the Chinese People to eradicate poverty.
The two leaders also maintained each other at 70 years of the formation of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, and reviewed the gamut of their bilateral strategic cooperative partnerships.
Khan has extended his invitation to XI to visit Pakistan at his initial comfort.