ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif Monday said Pakistan and China have shared perspectives on the climate change agenda and the two sides would cooperate closely at the bilateral and multilateral levels to advance shared objectives.
In an interview with Chinese media, the prime minister said the socio-economic development agenda of the SCO has become more and more comprehensive since its founding.
As a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), China has played an important role in multiple areas of cooperation in the SCO, Shehbaz Sharif added.
The SCO members have taken the initiative in areas such as commerce, transport connectivity and industrial cooperation in response to new opportunities and emerging challenges, he said.
Within the SCO, China has played an important part in multiple areas of cooperation, including the work for the establishment of a development bank and the establishment of the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao, he noted, adding Pakistan wishes to benefit from the Chinese experience in the use of the latest technologies in agriculture.
Under the SCO’s framework, member states, including Pakistan, undertake joint efforts to address security challenges and combat terrorism, separatism and extremism to ensure regional peace as well as economic development of the SCO region, the prime minister said.
Talking about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Sharif noted that as a flagship project of the BRI, the CPEC has added momentum to the already strong bilateral relationship.
The CPEC’s early-harvest phase has helped Pakistan modernise its infrastructure, address energy shortages, connect markets with production centres and ports, and create high-quality employment opportunities, he said.
“Entering a new stage of higher-quality development, the CPEC would continue to unlock the potential of Pakistan-China cooperation in areas such as industry, agriculture, socio-economic development, science and technology and information technology,” he said.
Speaking highly of the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the prime minister said Pakistan welcomes the GSI, which reflects the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and advocates cooperative and synergy-driven approaches to replace the zero-sum Cold War mindset of maximisation of security through power contestation and arms racing.
The people of Pakistan consider President Xi an old and trusted friend and hold him in very high esteem, Sharif said, stressing that China’s steady development and many stellar achievements under his leadership are a source of inspiration for Pakistan.
“As one of China’s closest friends, we share the joy of our Chinese ‘Iron Brothers’ and wish them well on the journey towards national rejuvenation,” he added.
