Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng was given a warm welcome by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. He Lifeng arrived in Pakistan for a three-day visit, invited by the Pakistani government. The purpose of his visit was to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and witness the transformative impact of this significant initiative.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz introduced the members of his delegation, which included federal cabinet members Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Ishaq Dar, Rana Sanaullah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Ahsan Iqbal, Saad Rafiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Hina Rabbani Khar, and Tariq Fatemi. The visit reflects the close and strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, aiming to strengthen economic and financial cooperation, enhance the development of CPEC, and explore new opportunities for trade and investment.
As the chief guest at the CPEC anniversary ceremony, He Lifeng will be participating in various meetings, including ones with PM Shehbaz and President Arif Alvi. The Chinese Vice Premier has played a prominent role in China’s international economic relations and the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, of which CPEC is a flagship project.
Given the significance of the visit, tight security measures have been implemented in Islamabad. Approximately 2,716 personnel from the police, Dolphin Force, Frontier Constabulary, and Pakistan Army are deployed to ensure foolproof security along the route and venues where the Chinese Vice Premier will stay and attend the ceremony.
CPEC is a vital collection of infrastructure and development projects initiated in Pakistan since 2013. It aims to rapidly upgrade Pakistan’s infrastructure and strengthen its economy through modern transportation networks, energy projects, and special economic zones. The agreement for CPEC was signed in 2013, and its projects were further consolidated during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan in 2015.
The initiative became partly operational in November 2016 when Chinese cargo was transported overland to Gwadar port for maritime shipment to Africa and West Asia. Since its inception, Pakistan has received substantial direct Chinese investment totaling $25.4 billion in various transport, energy, and infrastructure projects, supporting the goals of the Belt and Road Initiative.
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The visit of Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng underscores the strong bond between Pakistan and China and showcases the significant progress made under CPEC. It also provides an opportunity for both countries to explore further avenues of collaboration and strengthen their long-standing partnership for mutual development and prosperity.
