Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang virtually inaugurated the Beijing-funded Gwadar International Airport at a ceremony in Islamabad on Monday.

“It is a critical step for realising the vision of regional connectivity and whatever we have achieved in the last many years, demonstrated the strength of Pakistan-China friendship,” he said after unveiling the plaque of the airport with his Pakistani counterpart.

Members of both delegations, ministers, military leadership and senior officials attended the ceremony.

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in Pakistan earlier in the day for a bilateral visit and a heads-of-government gathering of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation this week amid a strict security lockdown in Islamabad.

Li’s visit is the first by a Chinese premier to Pakistan in 11 years, the PM’s Office said. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received Li at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi.

After the ceremony, the Chinese PM congratulated the Pakistani nation and the government on behalf of the Chinese government and his people on the completion of Gwadar airport which was a “manifestation of the commitment” of the Chinese and Pakistani engineers and workers and also thanked the Pakistani society for their support.

“The inauguration would significantly capitalise to promote shipping and port activities and enhance regional connectivity in the entire region,” he said, “CPEC played a positive role in Pakistan’s economic and social development and regional integration as a symbol of deepening cooperation.”

He said that it was all possible owing to the consistent efforts of both sides.

Premier Li assured that China would continue to work “closely with the intimate Pakistani friends” in building and benefiting together by pursuing the goals of high standards, sustainability and quality of the Belt and Road Initiative.

While referring to the Pakistan-China ties, he termed them as of “special relationship and friendship” and said that this all-weather strategic partnership was further deepening.

“The unique and unbreakable time-tested ironclad friendship stood the global changing landscape,” he added.

Premier Li reiterated to work hand-in-hand with the Pakistani friends to accelerate the mutual economic development in the future.

Pakistan, China sign MoUs

Pakistan and China signed 13 accords on Monday, aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors including security, education, agriculture, human resources development and science and technology.

The documents were signed after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premer Li Qiang held the delegation-level talks wherein they discussed all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Earlier, PM Shehbaz received Premier Li at the PM House where the latter was given a guard of honour before proceedings for the meeting and delegation-level talks.

The two prime ministers, accompanied by their respective delegations, saw the signing ceremony.

Pakistan and China signed a handing over certificate of the Smart Classrooms Project inked by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

Two sides signed the minutes of the 13th meeting of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee and the 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar under CPEC.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and China International Development Cooperation Agency Chairman Lou Zhaohui inked a MoU on “Promoting Cooperation on Livelihood Working Group of CPEC.”

Pakistan and China reached an understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fields of “information and communication, water conservancy facilities, flood control and calamity reduction, and security.” The MoUs in this regard were signed by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and China International Development Cooperation Agency Chairman Luo Zhaohui.

Cheema and Luo also inked letters of exchange on “Human Resource Development under the GDI” and “Assistance Program of Fire Fighting Vehicles to Islamabad.”

The two countries also signed an MoU to support the joint laboratories jointly. Ministry of Science and Technology Secretary Sajid Baloch and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong inked the MoU.

Pakistan and China also agreed on the “Co-production of TV Programs”. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Ambreen Jan and Chinese Ambassador Zaidong signed the agreement.

Pakistan and China also signed a currency swap agreement and a protocol on quarantine requirements for the export of donkey meat to China.