Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Mr. Wang Hao, Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhejiang Provincial Committee, in Hangzhou. The Prime Minister emphasized that provincial-level cooperation serves as a vital pillar of Pakistan-China relations and can significantly advance CPEC Phase-II through industrial collaboration, agricultural modernization, technology sharing, and export-led growth.
Praise for Zhejiang's Development
Mr. Wang Hao extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister in Zhejiang Province. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded Zhejiang's impressive development projects and commended President Xi Jinping's visionary leadership during his tenure as Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee. The Prime Minister particularly appreciated President Xi Jinping's concept that 'clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets,' noting that Zhejiang's progress exemplifies how environmental protection, green development, and high-quality economic growth can progress together in a mutually supportive manner.
Key Areas of Cooperation
During the meeting, the Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan places great importance on enhancing cooperation with Zhejiang Province, especially in digital economy, e-commerce, information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, renewable energy, advanced industrialization, and skills development. He reiterated that provincial-level cooperation remains a cornerstone of Pakistan-China relations and can substantially contribute to CPEC Phase-II through industrial cooperation, agricultural modernization, technology transfer, and export-oriented growth.
Signing of Cooperation Documents
The Prime Minister attended a ceremony for the signing of two important cooperation documents. The first was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Zhejiang Province and Punjab Province to establish sister-province relations. The MoU aims to foster cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. Additionally, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a document between Hangzhou Normal University and the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing for the establishment of a China-Pakistan Joint Technology Research Center. This center will promote academic cooperation, applied research, technology exchange, and institutional linkages between the two countries.
75th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
The Prime Minister remarked that Pakistan and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and are entering a new era of people-centric, development-oriented, and practical cooperation. This milestone underscores the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations.
