ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan and China are All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners and friendship with China is cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Talking to the Vice-Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Gao Yunlong in Islamabad on Friday, the president emphasized that Pakistan attaches great importance to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is committed to its early completion.
The president added that our focus in the next phase of CPEC will be on socio-economic development; agriculture cooperation; industrial capacity; job-creation; poverty alleviation, trade and commerce; science and technology and climate change. He hoped that a few Special Economic Zones (SEZ) would be inaugurated this year.
Dr. Arif Alvi underlined that bilateral visits at the leadership level have been a hallmark of traditional friendship and warm relations between both countries. He added that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China last year was very successful which reaffirmed our strong brotherly relations and understanding.
Arif Alvi highlighted that China’s willingness to address the large trade deficit is a welcome development. He further stated that more Chinese investment and trade delegations may be encouraged to visit Pakistan to identify Pakistani products for Chinese markets.
The president stressed that efforts should be made to further enhanced people-to-people contact as increased interaction between different institutions, academia and think tanks will further strengthen mutual trust and understanding.
Moreover, he further said that there is a huge potential of enhancing cooperation in tourism sector, both sides should explore different avenues in this regard.
The Leader of the House in Senate Senator Syed Shibli Faraz and the Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing were also present on the occasion.
