Pakistan, China to advance ‘high-quality’ CPEC development during Chinese PM’s visit — FO

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and Beijing will discuss important trade and economic matters, and advance “high-quality development” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang’s visit to the country next week, Pakistan’s foreign office said on Sunday. 
CPEC is a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It involves the development of a massive transport, energy and infrastructure network in Pakistan to link its deep-sea ports to Chinese cities. China has funneled tens of billions of dollars into the project since its inception in 2013. 
The Chinese premier is scheduled to visit Pakistan with a high-level delegation from Oct. 14-17 during which he will hold talks with the Pakistani government on various issues of mutual interest between the two nations. 
“It will be an occasion for the two sides to reaffirm mutual support on issues of core interest; advance high-quality development of CPEC; and reinforce regular exchanges on important regional and global developments,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement. 
The statement said Li would be accompanied by ministers and senior officials from China’s ministries of foreign affairs and commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission and the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Premier Li Qiang will lead their respective delegations to comprehensively discuss all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under CPEC,” the foreign office said.
“The two sides will also discuss regional and global developments.”
The Chinese prime minister will meet Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and the country’s senior civil and military leadership. He will also attend the Meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization scheduled to be held in Islamabad from Oct. 15-16. 
While CPEC is a reflection of the cordial ties that both countries enjoy, the multi-billion-dollar project has been hit hard as Pakistan struggles to keep up its financial obligations, as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants. 
The most recent incident involving an attack on Chinese citizens took place last Sunday when three people, including two Chinese nationals, were killed in a suicide blast near Karachi airport. The attack targeted Chinese staffers of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company. 
The attack was claimed by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) group which targets Chinese interests in Pakistan. The BLA blames Pakistan’s government and China for exploiting the gas-and-mineral-rich Balochistan province, a charge the state vehemently denies.