When brothers shake hands…

• Pak, China sign MoUs, projects worth $46b, with more than $40b allocated for energy and infrastructure
• PM Sharif says CPEC will benefit all four provinces, give China easy access to Asia, Middle East, Africa
• President Jinping says will help Pakistan fight terrorism for regional peace as CPEC benefits livelihoods of both people

Graced by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chinese President Xi Jinping and high-level officials from both sides, a historic ceremony was witnessed at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday where Pakistan and China pledged development works in a $46 billion handshake.

The two neighbours signed 51 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) relating to diverse aspects of bilateral relations, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The sector-wise financial breakdown of the projects is as follows: energy projects ($33.79 billion), road ($5.9 billion), rail ($3.69 billion), mass transit in Lahore ($1.60 billion), Gwadar Port ($0.66 billion) and China-Pakistan fibre optics ($0.04 billion).

A few agreements were signed by dignitaries from both countries in front of media personnel, after which Sharif and Jinping shared their views on the historic gathering and bilateral relations.

SHARIF MAKES A POINT:

In his speech, PM Sharif welcomed the Chinese leader and referred to China as Pakistan’s “all-weather friend”.

“There have been critical changes in China and Pakistan but our ties have remained robust. Four generations of our leaders and people have sustained them with passion and wisdom,” he said.

Talking about the CPEC, Sharif said, “This corridor will benefit all provinces and areas in Pakistan and transform our country into a regional hub and pivot for commerce and investment. It will also enable China to create a shorter and cheaper route for trade and investment in south, central and west Asia, the Middle East and Africa. This corridor will become a symbol for peace and prosperity.”

“Together with Chinese President Xi we have taken momentous decisions that will raise Pakistan-China relations to new heights and have deep impacts for our common economic future and stability in the region,” the Pakistani premier said, adding that the two sides also discussed regional and international developments, agreeing to make coordinated efforts for peace and security in the region.

CHINESE PRESIDENT SPEAKS:

In his address, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China is prepared and willing to help strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to fight terrorism while the building of CPEC has an important bearing on national strategies and livelihoods of the two countries.

The two sides believe that the layout and construction of the corridor should take into account the interest of various regions of Pakistan so that it benefits people, said Jinping.

“Of all the cooperation documents that Prime Minister Sharif and I signed, or witnessed the signing of, more than 30 of them concern the corridor,” he added.

“They include the facilities of the Gwadar Port, the second phase of the upgrading project for the Karakoram Highway, the motorway project between Karachi and Lahore, the rail transportation Orange Line Project of Lahore and other major transportation infrastructure projects and a series of energy projects,” the Chinese dignitary said.

“These projects span across the provinces and areas of Pakistan and the two sides have also made it clear that they will include the central and western lines of the corridor in the long and midterm plans. I believe this will help the comprehensive balance and steady growth of the corridor building,” said the Chinese president, adding that his country continues to support Pakistan’s economic and social development.

Moreover, Jinping said the two sides agreed strengthening communication and coordination on Afghanistan in order to jointly push ahead the Afghan reconciliation process and play a constructive role to achieve peace and stability in the region.

He read an old saying in Chinese that said, “When brothers are united in their purpose, they become strong enough to pierce through metals.”

He also reciprocated PM Sharif’s sentiments on Pakistan and China and said that China is willing to work in close cooperation with Pakistan to benefit masses of the two countries.

DELEGATION-LEVEL TALKS:

Following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s maiden visit to Pakistan, both sides held delegation-level talks at the PM House where President Jinping admired PM Sharif’s efforts, saying that the far-reaching reforms initiated were crucial for Pakistan. He added that PM Sharif is “highly experienced” and that his struggle against terrorism is “extremely admirable”.

Pakistani and Chinese delegations held formal talks at the PM Office in which all aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed. PM Sharif led the Pakistani side in the talks while the Chinese side was led by President Jinping.

PM Sharif formally welcomed Jinping on his first ever visit to Pakistan and hoped that the visit would further consolidate the already strong ties between the two countries. He said people of Pakistan were anxiously waiting for the visit of the Chinese president.

The Chinese president expressed confidence that implementation of the economic corridor project would open a new chapter of cooperation between the two countries. He said he chose Pakistan as the first country for visiting abroad during the current year. He thanked Pakistan for providing assistance in evacuation of stranded Chinese nationals in Yemen.

Later, the two sides signed agreements for installation of 14 power projects to generate 8,030 Megawatts (MWs) of electricity.

Pakistani officials and a Chinese company signed agreement for building two 660 MW power generation projects in the country.

Moreover, agreements for installation of 12 power projects of 7,330 MWs were signed through video link.

These power projects included 720 MW Karot Hydropower Project, 200 MW Wind Power Project and 900MW Zonergy Solar Power Project in Bahawalpur, two coal-fired power plants of 660 MW in Thar, a coal-mining project at Thar Block-II and Thar coal power project of 1,200 MW, two 1,320 MW power projects in Muzaffargarh, 1,320 MW coal-based power plants in Sahiwal and 870 MW Suki Kenari hydropower project.