Islamabad, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Zhao Yide, Party Secretary of Shaanxi Province, today to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation across several sectors including trade, technology, and culture.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-China strategic ties through business-to-business linkages and cultural exchanges. Both parties committed to deepening these relationships at local and provincial levels for mutual prosperity.

Emphasizing the historical importance of Xi’an on the Ancient Silk Road, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the potential for ongoing collaboration in cultural, tourism, and educational exchanges between Pakistan and Shaanxi province. He pointed out the importance of leveraging sister-city relationships between Xi’an and the Pakistani cities of Lahore and Multan.

The discussions also covered the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which the Prime Minister noted is progressing well, emphasizing high-quality development in its second phase. Economic cooperation is expected to expand, with joint ventures planned in sectors such as agriculture, bio-pharmaceuticals, automobile manufacturing, mining, chemicals, and textiles.

Secretary Zhao provided insights into the economic growth and social advancements of Shaanxi, describing it as one of China’s rapidly developing regions. The Prime Minister concluded by inviting both state-owned and private enterprises from Shaanxi to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, benefiting from its favorable business environment.