February 7, 2022: Pakistan and China reaffirmed that close strategic ties and deep-rooted friendship between two countries are time-tested and timeless, said a joint statement issued by Pakistan and China on Sunday after the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing from 3 to 6 February 2022 to attend the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games 2022.
During the visit, the Prime Minister held talks with H.E. President Xi Jinping, and H.E. Premier Li Keqiang.
The Prime Minister appreciated the Chinese Government for excellent and meticulous arrangements and congratulated China for hosting the games in a streamlined, safe and splendid manner.
The two sides agreed that Olympic Games were a global event that fostered mutual understanding, inclusivity and friendship among the peoples of the world.
The Chinese leadership appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s participation in the Winter Olympic Games as a mark of iron brotherhood and solidarity between Pakistan and China. Both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and strengthen institutional linkages at all levels.
During their interactions, the leaders of the two countries held an in-depth exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as the regional situation and international political landscape. The meetings were marked by traditional warmth, strategic mutual trust and commonality of views that characterize the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
The Pakistan side underscored that the Pakistan-China relationship is the cornerstone of its foreign policy and that closest friendship with China enjoys the abiding support of the people of Pakistan. Both sides reiterated their support on issues concerning each other's core interests.
Commending President Xi's visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored that as the flagship project of BRI, CPEC has significantly contributed to Pakistan's economic and social development, in line with its shift to geo-economics and the economic security agenda of promoting trade, investments, and connectivity.
Both sides acknowledged the major contribution of CPEC projects, particularly in the areas of energy and transport infrastructure, in strengthening Pakistan’s key role in regional connectivity while modernizing its economic base. The leaders reaffirmed their support to CPEC’s high-quality development and the commitment to ensuring the smooth operation of completed projects and the timely completion of projects under construction.
The leaders took note of the signing of a Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation and agreed to further leverage the private sectors and entrepreneurs of both countries to contribute to Pakistan’s industrialization in an all-around way. The Chinese side appreciated the Prime Minister’s launch of the Pakistan-China Business and Investment Forum and will enhance B2B cooperation between the business sectors of both countries.
The two sides highlighted the significance of Gwadar as a central pillar of CPEC and an important node in regional connectivity. According to the “1 + 4” layout, the two sides agreed to jointly accelerate the construction and operation of Gwadar Port and build Gwadar low-carbon circular industry zone.
They agreed to build high-quality livelihood projects for the socio-economic development of Gwadar city and its residents.
The two sides reviewed with satisfaction bilateral cooperation and mutual support after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked the Chinese leadership for the provision of COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan which have been a mainstay of the national mass vaccination drive.
Both leaders agreed that their mutual support, cooperation and solidarity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic was in keeping with the time-honoured traditions of Pakistan-China friendship and that both sides would continue supporting efforts to overcome the pandemic.
The two sides noted with satisfaction the record increase in bilateral trade volume in 2021. They agreed to further consolidate and expand bilateral trade relations by fully utilizing the 2nd Phase of the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement. The Chinese side welcomes more of Pakistan’s high-quality food and agricultural products to the Chinese market.
Welcoming the establishment of Pakistan’s pavilions on Chinese e-commerce platforms, the two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in e-commerce, setting up online payment systems and cooperating in logistics, warehousing and customs facilitation.
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