Li Keqiang Meets with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan

On the morning of May 13, 2017, Premier Li Keqiang met at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, who was in China for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Li Keqiang noted that China attaches great importance to developing friendly cooperative relations with Pakistan, and is willing to work with Pakistan to translate the high-level political mutual trust into more mutually beneficial cooperation achievements, so as to push forward China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

Li Keqiang pointed out that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a key project that enjoys support from both countries, and cooperation has achieved positive results. It is hoped that both sides can better align with each other's development strategies, steadily push forward the construction of major projects of transportation infrastructure and energy in due course and in high quality, enhance cooperation in production capacity and promote balanced trade development. China hopes that Pakistan can take more efforts in safeguarding the safety of Chinese personnel and relevant projects in Pakistan.

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressed that Pakistan and China are good neighbors and strategic partners. It is consensus of all walks of life in Pakistan to support Pakistan-China friendly cause. The Pakistan-China Economic Corridor is a key project in bilateral cooperation, which provides Pakistan with great opportunities in economic development. Pakistan will vigorously accelerate the construction of the Corridor, take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese enterprises and personnel, and make sure relevant projects move forward as scheduled. Pakistan hopes that bilateral cooperation in production capacity and trade can be further enhanced, and stands ready to provide facilitation for Chinese enterprises to invest in Pakistan.

Both sides also exchanged in-depth views on bilateral and regional issues of common concern.

After the meeting, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif jointly witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as economy and technology.

State Councilor Yang Jing attended the meeting.

(From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)