Pak-China economic ties witnessing strength with implementation of CPEC: PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Monday said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its related projects symbolized the people-centric approach of the two countries.
According to a PM office media wing press release issued here, the project certainly transformed the friendly relations between the two countries into a strong economic partnership, the prime minister said talking to Zheng Xiaosong, Vice Minister of International Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China who called on him at the PM House.
The prime minister told Xiaosong that they raised a Special Security Division (SSD), comprising of 15000 military and civilian armed forces for ensuring safety of the Chinese brothers working on different projects under CPEC.
Welcoming the vice minister on his visit to Pakistan, the prime minister said Pakistan and China were close friends, neighbours and partners.
He underlined the benefits of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which were visible in growing bilateral trade that crossed the figure of $18 billion this year.
The enormous potential of trade between China and Pakistan would further enhance the quantum of bilateral trade between the two countries, prime minister added.
He emphasized that Pakistan remained committed to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, without any discrimination and the ongoing military operation against terrorists yielded very positive results.
The prime minister further said the war against terrorism and extremism would be taken to its logical end and the terrorists’ backbone had already been broken and network dismantled.
He hoped that the visit of Zheng Xiaosong would further strengthen the warm and friendly relations between the two countries.
“Mr. Prime Minister! You are a household name in China. China-Pakistan friendship has entered into a new phase during the present government in Pakistan,” the press release quoted Zheng Xiaosong as saying.
He said they were satisfied with the pace of implementation work on various projects under CPEC, especially in Punjab, the speedy work was exemplary.
The vice minister said alongside the rapidly improving relations between China and Pakistan, the ties between the Communist Party of China and Pakistan Muslim League (N) were also fast increasing.
He further said the delegation level exchanges between the two political parties were also welcoming, adding “We need to continue the high level exchanges between our two countries and political parties.”
Zheng Xiaosong said the role of Communist Party in the development of China was exemplary.
He said the number of present party members of Communist Party was 8.9 million and the party discipline was strictly followed.
“We will be looking forward to welcoming Pakistan Muslim League-N’s delegation in China next year. We will be happy if you include your talented daughter Maryam Nawaz in the visiting delegation,” he added.