Pakistan has identified 13 priority sectors for enhancing export oriented industry and encouraged Chinese top companies in these sectors to make investments in Pakistan, according to the joint statement.
It was issued at the culmination of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s five-day visit to China, Radio Pakistan reported. The Chinese side welcomed Pakistan to expand exports to China, it added.
Both countries put “great emphasis” on industrial cooperation under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development and the two sides signed the action plan for a framework agreement on industrial cooperation under the corridor project.
The two sides recognised that CPEC has been a “pioneering project” of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
After the first decade of CPEC, the two sides are committed to carrying out the “eight major steps” for supporting Belt and Road cooperation.
It was reaffirmed that the “up-gradation of ML-I is an important project under the CPEC framework and is of strategic significance” to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
Both sides recognised that the Karakoram Highway (Raikot-Thakot) realignment project was of “great significance” for the smooth operation of the only land-based channel between the two countries.
Pakistan and China agreed to advance the up-gradation of the inspection infrastructure of the Khunjerab-Sost pass so as to realise the all-year-round function of the pass at an early date.
While recognising the significance of Gwadar Port, the two sides were satisfied that the New Gwadar International Airport would soon be finished, and reiterated the need to speed up the development of the auxiliary infrastructure of the port in order to realise the potential of the coastal city, especially as a trans-shipment hub with a shipyard.
China reiterated its commitment to Pakistan’s industrialisation and added that it would encourage Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones following the market and commercial principles.
The two sides expressed their willingness to actively encourage Chinese companies to invest in the mining industry of Pakistan and strengthen the planning of mining industrial parks, including downstream mineral processing.
The Chinese side expressed its willingness to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in such areas as offshore oil and gas resources, and natural gas hydrate and Chinese companies to actively participate in the development of offshore oil and gas blocks of Pakistan.
The two sides would carry out practical cooperation for modernising agriculture in Pakistan in areas such as seed technology, crop cultivation, drip irrigation, prevention and control of animal and plant diseases, agricultural mechanization, production capacity cooperation, and agricultural technology exchanges.
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Both countries agreed to strengthen the development of the Pakistan-China digital information channel and promote the integration of information and communication technology infrastructure and develop an innovation corridor through Pakistan.
While appreciating China’s contributions to addressing power shortages in Pakistan, both sides agreed to launch a new phase of energy cooperation, by modernising production, transmission and distribution systems to reduce line and other losses.
The two sides agreed to promptly implement post-disaster reconstruction aid projects aided by China in Pakistan at an early date.
Under the framework of the Phase II of the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement, both sides agreed to conduct further consultation and actively explore concessional arrangements for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
While expressing satisfaction at the holding of the 13th CPEC’s Joint Coordination Committee meeting (online) on May 24, the two sides agreed to “expeditiously implement” consensus achieved by the JCC.
The two sides are willing to continue to deepen space cooperation for peaceful use based on equality and mutual benefit.
China expressed commitment to continuing its support for Pakistan in organising and participating in cultural and tourism exchanges in China. Both sides reaffirmed their determination to enhance practical cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism.
China reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing support and assistance to Pakistan and other developing countries in addressing climate change and mitigating the adverse impacts of extreme weather events.
Pakistan and China underscored that “stronger strategic defence and security cooperation between Pakistan and China plays an irreplaceable and critical role in maintaining peace and stability and ensuring strategic balance” in the region. The two sides agreed to maintain high-level military-to-military visits and exchanges and promote cooperation in areas of joint training and exercises and military technology.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with a “zero tolerance” attitude and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and security through a comprehensive approach.
While calling on the international community to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, the two sides expressed their firm opposition to double standards on counter-terrorism and opposed the politicisation and instrumentalisation of counter-terrorism. The two sides stood ready to work with the international community to strengthen multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations.
The Chinese side reiterated its steadfast support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and in its efforts to safeguard national security, stability, development and prosperity, in firmly combating terrorism, and in playing a “bigger role” in regional and international affairs.
Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in South Asia, the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes, and their opposition to any unilateral action. The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the latest developments of the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Chinese side reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
Both sides called for concerted efforts of the international community to positively support Afghanistan in properly addressing challenges. Both sides agreed to play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan to achieve stable development and integrate into the international community.
The two sides reiterated that the fundamental way out of the crisis in Gaza lies in the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent state of Palestine. The resolution adopted by the UN Security Council “is legally binding, and should be enforced effectively to achieve an unconditional and lasting ceasefire immediately.”
They called on the international community for increasing political input into the Palestinian question with a greater sense of urgency, stepping up efforts to facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel, and strive for enduring peace.
Pakistan and China signed 23 agreements and MOUs covering cooperation on CPEC, agriculture, infrastructure, industrial cooperation, inter-governmental development assistance, market regulation, surveying and mapping, media and film.
