ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to maintain the pace of bilateral ties through the “high-quality” development of the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and stronger people-to-people contacts.

The consensus was reached on Monday when Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Nong Rong called on Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The two sides reviewed achievements of bilateral relations during the past year and agreed to maintain momentum in 2023.

They also agreed to accelerate the post-flood reconstruction to build back better.

Bilawal tweeted that he was delighted to meet the Chinese envoy.

Exchange of personnel

China has expressed its desire to enhance the exchange of personnel with Pakistan at various levels under renewed Covid policy, the NNI reported.

In an article, the Chinese ambassador said the new Covid policy would expedite the implementation of the important consensus reached between the leadership of the two countries during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China.

The ambassador said the JWG meetings under the CPEC framework and the annual JCC meeting would be expected conducted face-to-face.

“The policy welcomes more Pakistani students to China for further study and more delegations and business groups will pay an on-site visit to Pakistan naturally.”

The facilitation of investments between China and Pakistan would result in bilateral cooperation, he said, adding that the CPEC projects would enjoy more robust energy that would bring more benefits to the two peoples.

“As the world’s second-largest consumer market, second largest source of foreign investment, and a major trading partner of over 140 countries and regions, China stays committed to promoting high-level opening up and accelerating efforts to foster a new development paradigm,” he said.

Rong added that the year 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative and going forward, China would continue to carry out science-based and targeted Covid response measures, and actively promote high-quality development with a global vision, contributing to world economic recovery, and bring more opportunities to China-Pakistan cooperation.

He expressed confidence that with “joint efforts and iron brother like Pakistan on our side we would embrace the future to create an even brighter future.”