Xi’an, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, joined by his delegation, met with Mr. Zhao Yide, Party Secretary of Shaanxi province, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
According to Press Information Department, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Party Secretary Zhao Yide explored avenues for enhancing collaboration in trade, technology, agriculture, and culture during their meeting in Xi’an. Both leaders pledged to further deepen the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, emphasizing the importance of business-to-business connections and cultural exchanges.
The discussions also highlighted the historical significance of Xi’an as a pivotal hub in the Ancient Silk Road, which facilitated cultural and economic exchanges between the East and the West. The Prime Minister stressed the potential of people-to-people exchanges, particularly in culture, tourism, and education. He underscored the benefits of leveraging the sister-city relationships between Xi’an, Lahore, and Multan, advocating for practical cooperation at the municipal level.
Prime Minister Sharif remarked on the continuous growth of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), noting its shift towards high-quality development in its second phase. The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to enhance economic collaboration through joint ventures in sectors such as agriculture, bio-pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing, mining, chemicals, and textiles.
Secretary Zhao provided an overview of Shaanxi’s rapid economic and social advancement, reinforcing its role as one of China’s fastest-growing regions. Prime Minister Sharif lauded China’s remarkable development and its supportive role towards developing countries, calling it an inspiration for Pakistan. He extended an invitation to state-owned and private enterprises from Shaanxi to capitalize on Pakistan’s investor-friendly policies.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude towards the leadership of Shaanxi province and Xi’an city for their support to Pakistani citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic.