PM Imran's active efforts for practical cooperation with China commendable: FM
BEIJING: China appreciates the importance attached by Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistani government on practical cooperation with China and their active efforts, a Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson said on Thursday. "As all weather strategic cooperative partners, the two sides have constantly deepened economic and trade cooperation," Zhao Lijian said during his regular briefing held here.
During a recent meeting with CEOs of Chinese companies operating in Pakistan, the prime minister assured his government's cooperation and facilitation to the Chinese enterprises and investors. The spokesperson remarked that China has been Pakistan's largest source of investments and trading partner for many years in a row.
"We stand ready to work together with Pakistan to advance high quality CPEC development, and to deepen bilateral cooperation," he added. He hoped that there will be a more favorable environment for Chinese businesses who want to invest and operate in Pakistan so that we can have mutually beneficial cooperation and shared development.
Earlier, several Chinese business leaders have expressed increased confidence in their operations in Pakistan after attending a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan that was aimed at addressing Chinese firms' concerns regarding policy support and security. During the meeting with a delegation of Chinese business leaders, Khan vowed to chair a monthly self-review meeting to address their concerns sending a strong signal that the Pakistani government attaches great importance to Chinese companies.
Zhang Shilu, general manager of Zhengbang Agriculture Pakistan (Pvt) Limited, who attended the meeting, told the Global Times that the meeting was held in response to concerns that have gripped Chinese investors. "Chinese enterprises encountered some difficulties in doing business in Pakistan and we expressed our expectations to the Pakistani Prime Minister, who showed that Pakistan attaches great importance to the development of Chinese enterprises in Pakistan. It greatly increases the confidence of Chinese enterprises," Zhang said.