PM’s China visit to further cement bilateral ties: Chinese envoy

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said on Monday that the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to China would be highly significant in further cementing bilateral ties and also help to ease energy crisis in Pakistan.
“The government and the people of China are eagerly waiting Nawaz Sharif, hoping the visit will lead to comprehensive cooperation in all fields of their common interest, strengthening mutually beneficial cooperative partnership” he said while briefing the local medial on Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China, at the Chinese Embassy.
Energy will be certainly on top of agenda during the talks between Nawaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Kenqiang. He hoped that the two sides might sign an agreement on energy cooperation.
Weidong expressed his confidence that the visit would be fruitful and productive, especially to give further boost to the economic and trade relationship. The visit, he further said, would send a positive signal outside of the world and to people of the two countries in regard to their deep-rooted decades’ old brotherly relationship, which is a unique example in nation-to-nation interaction.
During his stay in Beijing, Nawaz will discuss with the Chinese leadership plans for reinforcing bilateral strategic partnership, enhancing economic cooperation and development of Pakistan-China trade and economic corridor.
His country, he said, attached great importance to Nawaz Sharif’s visit and wished it help keep high the momentum of their comprehensive partnership.
China considers Pakistan as its iron friend, and wished to help it coming out of its economic crisis, the ambassador said, adding that his country appreciates Nawaz for starting his first foreign tour from China that signifies the closeness and warmth which characterizes Pakistan-China relations.
A number of proposals and initiatives will be discussed during the prime minister’s visit to strengthen their ties at all levels.
The traditionally close, cordial, cooperative and friendly ties between Pakistan and China are based on shared principles and mutual interests entailing cooperation in diverse fields. “We are confident that the visit will provide further impetus to enhancing their existing strategic partnership which is also a source of peace, stability, prosperity in the region,” the ambassador added.
To a question, the ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s role on counter-terrorism and said the two countries have been doing joint efforts to curb terrorism and extremism.
The ambassador, who took over his new assignment just 20 days back, said he found great potential and depth in further development of their bilateral ties.
“Our hearts beat together and all segments of society in the two countries are on the same page, keeping the momentum of the relationship high under all circumstances.”