ISLAMABAD: A top leader of the Chinese Communist Party, Liu Jianchao, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for a three-day visit, to co-chair the 3rd Meeting of the Pakistan-China Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) and to discuss progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
The JCM for political parties on CPEC, established in 2019, functions as a regular consultation platform between the Communist Party of China and Pakistani political parties.
The inaugural meeting occurred in Beijing in March 2019, and the second meeting, held in August 2020, took place virtually.
Beijing is investing over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC, a key element of its Belt and Road initiative. This will connect China to the Arabian Sea and help modernize Pakistan’s economy through a network of roads, railways, pipelines, and ports.
Jianchao was received by Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia & Pacific) Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui upon his arrival at the Islamabad International Airport, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan said.
“A high-level Chinese delegation is arriving in Pakistan today (Thursday) and during the visit, the Chinese delegation will talk about upgrading CPEC,” Tarar told reporters during a news conference earlier in the day.
The visit by the Chinese delegation takes place days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif traveled to China on a five-day official trip. Sharif met Chinese political and business leaders.
Speaking about Sharif’s visit to China, Tarar said “historical agreements” were signed on the occasion.
“The work on these agreements, especially those signed in information technology, has already begun and the results will soon be visible,” he shared.
Pakistan and China have agreed to advance CPEC into its second phase, expanding beyond infrastructure and energy to broader economic and social development, including rural revitalization, agricultural modernization, industrialization, and green development.
This phase also emphasizes establishing Special Economic Zones to promote industrial growth and job creation.
Liu, who was invited to visit Pakistan by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, will also hold meetings with Pakistan’s top political and military leadership during his stay in the country.
When asked about social media rumors that claimed Pakistan and China’s ties were deteriorating, the minister brushed them aside by saying that “many powers” are unable to accept the two countries’ friendship.
“The visit of the Chinese delegation to Pakistan is a proof of trust between the two countries,” he added.
