Executive Vice Mayor of Chengdu meets Shahbaz
Executive Vice Mayor of Chinese Province Sichuan's capital Chengdu Mr. Zhu Zhihong called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here Friday.
Promotion of bilateral relations of Punjab and Lahore with Sichuan and Chengdu, strengthening of trade and economic ties besides cooperation in water supply, sanitation, tourism and other sectors were discussed in the meeting. It was also decided to further promote collaboration under the framework to declare Lahore and Chengdu as twin cities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan and China are bound together in strong friendly ties and the agreements of investment of billions of dollars are unprecedented in Pakistan's history. He said that these agreements are of historic importance with regard to Pak-China friendship.
He said that China is extending unprecedented economic cooperation to Pakistan. He said that Pakistan and China are two best and sincere friends in the world and the hearts of people of the two countries beat together. Shehbaz Sharif said that Pak-China friendship is deeper than ocean, sweeter than honey, higher than Himalaya and stronger than steel. He said that China has stood by Pakistan in every hour of need. He said that Chinese leadership has given a historic investment package of 46 billion dollars to Pakistan which is a precious gift of Chinese leadership and the government to the people of Pakistan and reflects complete faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The Chief Minister said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a game changer for progress and prosperity of Pakistan. He said that CPEC projects are a beginning towards strengthening of economic condition and will result in economic benefit not only to Pakistan but to the entire region.
Shehbaz Sharif said that Chinese President, Prime Minister and the government has given a precious gift to the people of Pakistan in the form of orange line metro train and this project is a milestone with regard to provision of modern transport facilities of international standard to the common man.
He said that work is in progress round the clock on metro train project and more than three lakh passengers will travel by this system daily upon its completion. The Chief Minister said that Chengdu can consider provision of cooperation for purple line project in Lahore. He said that Punjab government wants to benefit from skill and experience of Chengdu in the project of provision of potable water and improvement of sanitation facilities.
Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the announcement of Chengdu with regard to setting up a working station in Lahore and said that it will help in promotion of relations between Lahore and Chengdu in different sectors and the station will work as a bridge.
He said that Punjab government will extend all out facilities to Chengdu in the establishment of working station. Executive Vice Mayor Chengdu Zhu Zhihong while speaking on the occasion expressed desire to take immediate measures to promote cooperation with Punjab and Lahore in trade, education, health, tourism, water management and other sectors. He said that Chengdu airlines wants to start direct flights to Lahore. He said that Punjab is making rapid progress under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and all out cooperation will be extended to provincial government in the process of development.