Xi hails Pakistan’s security cooperation in west China

Islamabad: Chinese President Xi Jinping left Islamabad on Tuesday after a two-day state visit, after lifting hopes here for Pakistan’s economic revival through huge investments from Beijing.

A raft of agreements and MoUs signed during the historic visit envisage around $45 billion (Dh165 billion) investment for projects under the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor plan.

“Pakistan today has a historic development opportunity,” the Chinese president said while addressing a special session of the country’s parliament before his departure.

Lauding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s vision to make Pakistan an Asian economic tiger, President Xi said China and its people would stand by the Pakistani people “in this great endeavour.”

The corridor will link Kashghar in western China to the deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea at Gawadar, in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, through a mesh of communication networks including highways, railways, airport and oil and gas pipelines.

Agreements worth $28 billion are expected to immediately kick-start early projects under the corridor plan while projects of $17 billion will be carried out as soon as required studies and processes are completed, Pakistan Planning Commission said.

In his address to the parliament, President Xi said China firmly supports Pakistan’s commitment to uphold its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.

“We have agreed to further elevate the all-weather strategic partnership,” he said referring to his in-depth talks in Islamabad. “By this, we mean that we will move together in rain and sun shine.”

Xi has linked economic cooperation with security and said on Tuesday the two countries “share a common stake in security”.

“Over the years Pakistan has overcome all kinds of difficulties and contributed greatly to the security and stability of China’s western border areas and this is something that we shall never forget,” Xi told parliament.

Regardless of changes at the international level, China “will continue to see Pakistan in strategic and long term perspective,” he said, adding his country will enhance Pakistan’s capability in fighting terrorism and meeting non-traditional threats.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan considered Chinese security as important as its own.

“We will fight together to eliminate the menace of terrorism. Our joint efforts against terrorism have succeeded so far, but we have to intensify the efforts to achieve our goals,” Sharif told parliament.

“Our defence ties are strong and they are poised to become stronger in years to come,” Sharif said.

President Mamnoon Hussain told the Chinese leader during a meeting on Tuesday that the government has granted approval for army protection of Chinese workers in Pakistan.

The army has created a special security division for the protection of Chinese engineers, project directors, experts and workers employed on various Chinese funded projects, the Pakistani president said.

President Hussain conferred the highest civil award upon the Chinese leader at a special ceremony at the Presidency in Islamabad.

The Chinese president and First Lady were seen off by Prime Minister Sharif and his wife Begum Kalsoom Sharif, at the Nur Khan Air Base.