PM Shehbaz, Premier Li agree on CPEC’s expansion, projects’ early completion

Monitoring Desk
BEIJING: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang here wherein the two side agreed to expand the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) besides ensuring the early completion of the CPEC projects. The meeting was held at the Great Hall of the People as the prime minister was on maiden two-day official visit to China, along with a high level delegation.
On his arrival at the venue, the prime minister was warmly received and also given the guard of honour.
In the meeting, both the leaders discussed bilateral matters as well as the ways to strengthen mutual cooperation.
The two sides also held delegation level talks headed by the respective two leaders.
Earlier, the prime minister also met Chinese President Xi Jinping in which the latter assured China’s continued support for Pakistan’s sustainable economic and strategic projects including the Main Line-1 (ML-1) rail track and announced an additional assistance package of RMB 500 million for the country’s flood relief efforts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has assured that his country will continue to extend support to Pakistan for sustainable economic development and harness its potential as a geo economic hub. He made these remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Great Hall of People in Beijing on Wednesday.
The Chinese President announced an additional assistance package of five hundred million RMB for Pakistan’s post flood relief and rehabilitation efforts. Both leaders also acknowledged the need for a mass-transit project in Karachi and agreed to finalize all formalities for the early launch of the Karachi Circular Railway.
They also appreciated the signing of a number of agreements covering a broad range of bilateral cooperation during the visit.
PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulated President Xi on his reelection as General Secretary of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.