In an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN), he emphasised that the move reflects the growing strength, maturity and diversification of bilateral relations, which continue to evolve from infrastructure-led cooperation to a broad-based, market-driven economic partnership, reports Radio Pakistan.

Highlighting China’s position as Pakistan’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade nearing $17 billion in the first eight months of the year, Muhammad Aurangzeb underscored that the relationship between the two countries has consistently moved from strength to strength over the decades.

He noted that China has stood firmly with Pakistan at international fora and has played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s economic development, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which remains the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The finance minister said CPEC Phase-II has been formally launched following high-level engagements with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang earlier this year.

He said the new phase is centred on monetising existing infrastructure and is increasingly driven by business-to-business (B2B) cooperation, reflecting a shift toward sustainable, private-sector-led growth.

Responding to questions on Pakistan’s economic priorities, Aurangzeb identified agriculture, minerals and mining, artificial intelligence and the digital economy as key areas attracting Chinese investment.

He emphasised that beyond capital flows, this phase of cooperation places strong emphasis on knowledge transfer and technical support.

The finance minister said Pakistan’s approach remains anchored in strengthening its long-standing partnership with China.

He said that both countries are aligned not only on geopolitical priorities but also on a forward-looking economic agenda that will guide cooperation over the medium to long term, further strengthening the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China.