Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office on Monday and discussed various matters of mutual interest, including the promotion of Pakistan-China relations, progress made on CPEC-related projects and expansion of bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
The two leaders decided to further expand cooperation in trade, agriculture and tourism sectors, besides promoting partnership between Punjab and major Chinese cities. On the occasion, Buzdar said that Pakistan-China relations were not between the two countries but an immortal bond of friendship between two brothers. He said that China had helped the 700 million people of Punjab during the last 20 years to alleviate their poverty, and added that this unique Chinese model would be implemented in Punjab to eradicate poverty. The Chinese vice president had tremendously worked for the elimination of corruption and China was a role model for Punjab for the eradication of corruption, he said. Buzdar said that he was truly happy to be the host of the respected guest of a great friendly country. “Chinese cooperation is praiseworthy in areas of national security and regional stability,” he maintained. Participation of Prime Minister Imran Khan in the second Belt and Road forum in China had yielded positive results, he said, adding that the Chinese president’s “game-changer” initiative was not only of regional but of global importance. He said the Pakistan-China friendship was also an asset for the future generations. “Pakistan and China are moving on a new journey of development, and the bond of Pakistan-China friendship will be alive forever.”
The chief minister said that a new period of economic development had been started, and added that investment made by Chinese companies was praiseworthy.
Speaking on the occasion, Qishan said that he had come to Pakistan on the direction of the Chinese president and he wanted to give a message to the world that Pakistan-China friendship was very strong. “Meetings with the Pakistani leadership have been very positive, and the leadership of China and Pakistan,” he said, adding that relations between the two countries were getting stronger day by day. He said Chinese cooperation in the journey of development of Pakistan would be continued, and the CPEC was a living example of Pakistan-China friendship. He said partnership between Punjab and Chengdu would be expanded and “we are ready to promote cooperation in different sectors between Lahore and Xi’an city”. “It is the need of the hour to promote cooperation between Punjab and major Chinese cities in different sectors, including culture and economy. The CPEC has proved [to be] a game-changer for the region and the pace of industrial development has been accelerated by expanding economic cooperation,” he further said.
Meanwhile, upon his arrival in Lahore, Wang Qishan was given a warm welcome by Buzdar at the airport. The chief minister introduced provincial ministers to the Chinese vice president. Speaking on the occasion, Qishan said he was very happy to visit Lahore.
Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, Consul General Long Dingbin and other members of the Chinese delegation were also present on the occasion.
Later, Buzdar attended a dinner hosted by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar in honour of Wang Qishan at the Governor’s House.
