Chinese President calls for giving a boost to CPEC construction

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for giving a boost to the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

President Xi made these remarks during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled to be held on May 14 and 15.

The Xinhua news agency quoted Xi, as saying that the study on the construction of industrial parks along the corridor should be facilitated and projects in Pakistan's Gwadar Port and its surrounding areas should be completed as soon as possible.

Asserting that China-Pakistan relations remain a priority for Beijing, President Xi said that Beijing is willing to enrich the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with Islamabad.

He suggested that both sides should increase interactions between governments, legislative bodies and political parties, besides continuing high-level exchanges.

President Xi also said that the two countries should strengthen and enhance cooperation on major international and regional issues.

Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan considers China as its most important friend and it fully backs the One Belt One Road Initiative."

"We all stand as one for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Pakistan is determined for its early completion," Geo TV quoted the Pakistan premier, as saying.

Sharif is leading a high level delegation along with four provincial chief ministers, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Railways Minister Saad Rafique, Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir and IT Minister Anushay Rehman, among others to attend the international forum to highlight the Chinese initiative of "One Belt One Road.

During his six-day visit, Prime Minister Sharif is scheduled to meet several Chinese leaders.

After the meeting between the two heads of government, ministers from the two sides signed several memoranda of understanding (MoU).

The Pakistan Prime Minister will attend the inaugural session of the One Belt One Road Summit, a plenary meeting of high-level dialogue and the state banquet.

He will also attend leaders' roundtable sessions scheduled to be held on the second day of the forum.

As many as 28 heads of state and government, over 50 leaders of international organisations, over 100 ministerial-level officials, as well as over 1,200 delegates from various countries and regions will participate in the forum.

Geo TV quoted a senior official of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that the forum is expected to build a consensus and finalise major projects in infrastructure connectivity, trade and investment, financial support and people-to-people exchanges.