Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to further strengthen bilateral economic and commercial ties and increase China-Pakistan cooperation in the relevant areas.
In a telephonic conversation on Tuesday, the two leaders discussed the entire gamut of the bilateral strategic cooperation and discussed the regional and international situation, according to a press release issued by the PM office.
PM Khan and President Xi agreed to fully realize the potential offered by the Phase-II of the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement to overcome the economic challenges. Welcoming the investments made by China in the CPEC Special Economic Zones, the premier appreciated the successful, timely and high-quality execution of the CPEC projects. The two leaders also agreed to promote CPEC’s green development as a high-quality demonstration of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Imran Khan also congratulated President Xi on the centenary of the Communist Party of China, the unmatched victory of the Chinese people’s battle to eliminate absolute poverty. He also lauded Beijing’s stupendous development in four decades of reform and opening up. PM Khan and President XI also felicitated each other on the important milestone of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
Uzbek president felicitated
PM Khan also called Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and congratulated him on being selected for the second term.
The premier underscored the importance of enhanced trade and economic linkages between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and reiterated his country’s support to the Trans-Afghan railway project for regional connectivity. The two leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas continue through high-level interaction.
PM telephones Prince Charles
Prime Minister Khan also held a telephonic conversation with HRH Prince Charles on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-26). The conference is scheduled to be held in Glasgow from Oct 31 to Nov 12.
The prime minister appreciated the UK’s role as the president of COP-26 and hoped the conference would help translate political commitments into tangible actions. He stressed countries to play their individual roles in combating climate change according to the principles of equity and ‘common but differentiated responsibilities.
Imran Khan also informed Prince Charles about Pakistan’s climate change agenda and the recent submission of its revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, with an ambitious target of 50% overall reduction of projected greenhouse gases emissions by 2030.
Pakistan’s climate change initiatives
He also briefed Prince of Wales about climate change initiatives including:
- The Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Initiative
- Protected Areas Initiative
- Recharge Pakistan Initiative
- Electric Vehicles and Alternative
- Renewable Energy Policies
In the regional context, Imran Khan once again said Pakistan favors a stable and peaceful Afghanistan and asked the international community to provide the war-torn country with immediate humanitarian assistance to prevent any economic crisis.
Prince Charles conveyed the British government’s gratefulness to Pakistan for supporting and facilitating the evacuation of UK nationals and others from Afghanistan.