Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif visits China

Beijing: President Xi Jinping on Wednesday expressed his "deep concerns" to the visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on the CPEC projects. During his talks with Sharif, Xi sought "reliable and safe environment" for Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan while telling him to accelerate various Chinese projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). CPEC projects, worth an estimated US$60 billion and mainly involving transport and energy infrastructure, have faced delays because of difficulties raising funds, Covid-19 restrictions and supply chain woes and also faced stiff opposition and attacks recently. 

India has



objected to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Sharif, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday night on a two-day visit, met Xi at the ornate Great Hall of People and the two leaders held wide-ranging talks during which they agreed to strengthen the all-weather friendship, according to an official statement, which - contrary to expectations - did not mention about any financial assistance to Pakistan, whatsoever. 

On his first visit to China as Prime Minister, Sharif is also the first Head of the Government to congratulate Xi on his record third term as General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), after the 20th Party Congress.