Buttering China by playing it safe, Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls Chinese Prez Xi Jinping to boost bilateral, economic ties
The two leaders reviewed the bilateral ties and cooperation during a telephonic conversation Prime Minister Imran had with President Xi Jinping.
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Islamabad, October 27: Running like a cry baby asking for help and shielding itself from the wrath of the world, Pakistan has always played safe being under ‘Chhatra Chaya’ of China. Pakistan PM Imran Khan on Tuesday spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to boost their bilateral ties including offering the Phase-II of the Free Trade Agreement to overcome the economic headwinds. The two leaders reviewed the bilateral ties and cooperation during a telephonic conversation Prime Minister Imran had with President Xi Jinping.
Trying his best to woo China, Pakistan PM Imran Khan appreciated China’s successful containment of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as relief measures to other countries that include vaccine cooperation with Pakistan. The statement read, “Taking stock of the negative impact of COVID-19 on the global economy, the two leaders agreed on further strengthening bilateral economic and commercial ties, including the full realization of the potential offered by the Phase-II of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, to overcome the economic headwinds.”
The Prime Minister has lauded the successful, timely, and high-quality implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, and welcomed Chinese investments in the CPEC Special Economic Zones. He also stressed that the early start of work on the ML-1 railway project would complement Pakistan’s geo-economics vision for national and regional development.
The two leaders agreed to promote CPEC’s green development as a high-quality demonstration of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The ambitious CPEC was launched in 2015 when President Xi visited Pakistan. It aims to connect western China with the Gwadar seaport in southwestern Pakistan through a network of roads, railways, and other projects of infrastructure and development.
The discussion also veered towards Afghanistan. The two leaders called on the international community to provide immediate humanitarian and economic assistance as well as continued engagement required for rebuilding the war-torn nation. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to continue with the momentum of high-level exchanges to further diversify the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries.