https://arab.news/jmene
- The prime minister says the friendship between the two countries is essential for regional and global peace
- Officials say Chinese companies want to set up industries in Pakistan, though Beijing has raised security concerns
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday Pakistan seeks to increase collaboration with China across various economic sectors, including agriculture and artificial intelligence, during a meeting with the Chinese envoy, Jiang Zaidong, in which he applauded Beijing for continually improving strategic relations between the two countries.
Authorities in Islamabad and Beijing have been working together on several infrastructure and connectivity projects under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). While these projects are spread across different parts of the country, China has made major investments in the country’s volatile southwestern Balochistan province, which has witnessed low-level insurgency by ethnic Baloch separatist groups for decades.
Last month, an armed faction launched coordinated attacks in different parts of the province that killed over 50 people, raising concerns the area’s security.
Pakistan has also tried to address Beijing’s security concerns in the past after attacks against the Chinese workers in different cities.
“Pak-China friendship is essential not only for both countries but also for regional and global peace and development,” the prime minister said during the meeting. “Pakistan seeks to enhance collaboration with China in information technology, artificial intelligence, modern agriculture and other sectors.”
He said the strategic partnership between the two states had withstood the test of time.
“China has always provided unconditional support to Pakistan during difficult times,” he added.
The prime minister visited China on a five-day trip in June this year, where he met with political leaders and representatives of Chinese companies operating in various economic sectors, encouraging them to invest in Pakistan.
The two countries have also been negotiating to advance CPEC to the next level by establishing industrial zones, with Pakistani officials saying the new phase will be driven by the private sector through business-to-business collaborations.
Pakistani authorities have also noted that several Chinese companies have expressed interest in setting up industries in the country.