ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing said on Wednesday that Pakistan was a key player in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of new era aimed at building a prosperous community in Asia.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s participation in Boao Forum International 2018 would add to the significance of the economic forum, he said.
Briefing a select group of media on the importance of PM’s visit to China commencing next Sunday, the Chinese ambassador said that PM Abbasi would also hold one-on-one official meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and several other heads of the states and heads of the governments set to attend the forum being held in Boao, Hainan Province of China.
“The theme of Boao Forum this year is open and innovative Asia reflecting China’s quest for developing a prosperous community in the neighborhood and the whole world. PM Abbasi would share his vision on Asia’s prosperity and development,” the Ambassador said.
He said that around seven top leaders of friendly countries are going to attend the forum apart from over 2,000 delegates from various companies across the globe. He stated it would be interesting to note that this is Prime Minister Abbasi’s first visit to China as Prime Minister of the country where he is likely to extend his wishes to President Xi Jinping and other top ranking officials of the newly-formed government in China.
“During the three-day visit, PM Abbasi would deliver a keynote speech at the forum on 10th April, the same day President Xi Jinping would be having an official meeting with PM Abbasi,” the ambassador said.
He said that he himself would accompany the PM to assist the premier during the visit as Pakistan was a very important strategic partner of China in its ‘New Era’. During the meeting between President Xi Jinping and PM Abbasi, both the leaders would touch upon several topics including the next stage of Pakistan’s ongoing cooperation with a specific focus on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
China would pursue its agenda of globalisation as it seeks more international cooperation in economic, cultural and other fields, with a specific focus on international regimes of WTO, G-20 and others, he explained.
The ambassador said that President Xi would also share his views on the trade war started by US.
Talking about Pakistan-China cooperation, Ambassador Yao said that the leaders would also have a review of the ongoing cooperation as a new government has taken its job in China while Pakistan is about to go for elections soon.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Yao said that China-Pakistan cooperation is key to President Xi’s neighbour-oriented policy and this bond would continue irrespective of a change of guard in Islamabad.
PM Abbasi would be accompanied by his other cabinet members including Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Energy Minister Owais Leghari and others, who would also take part in the panel discussion at the Boao Forum.