President Arif Alvi of Pakistan honored Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng with the Hilal-i-Pakistan award, the second-highest civil award in the country. The investiture ceremony took place at Aiwan-e-Sadar in Islamabad, where both Pakistani and Chinese leaders attended the event.
The award was given to Vice Premier He Lifeng in recognition of his significant role in strengthening the bilateral ties between Pakistan and China. His visit to Pakistan was part of the celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), during which he attended a ceremony as the chief guest.
During the visit, China and Pakistan signed six agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed his gratitude to the Chinese President for sending a senior official to Pakistan, which demonstrated the enduring friendship between the two nations. He also stated that the two countries were entering the second phase of CPEC and highlighted the importance of the agreements in boosting economic cooperation, particularly in agriculture and IT sectors. This cooperation would enable Pakistan to export goods according to Chinese standards with China’s support.
The CPEC, a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has seen significant investments in power, energy, public transport, and other sectors, amounting to over $25 billion. The project has been a crucial factor in strengthening economic ties and infrastructural development between China and Pakistan.
Security arrangements were tightened during Vice Premier He Lifeng’s visit, with over 2,700 personnel from the police, Dolphin Force, Frontier Constabulary, and Pakistan Army deployed to ensure safety along the route and venues of the visit.
CPEC, initiated in 2013, encompasses various infrastructure and development projects throughout Pakistan. The initiative aims to upgrade Pakistan’s infrastructure and boost its economy by establishing modern transportation networks, energy projects, and special economic zones. It has received substantial investments from China, totaling $25.4 billion, to support its implementation.
Read more: Pakistan, China Sign Six Agreements, MoUs to Foster Bilateral Relations
Overall, Vice Premier He Lifeng’s visit to Pakistan and the subsequent signing of agreements demonstrate the continued commitment of both nations to foster strong economic and diplomatic ties through the CPEC initiative. The project’s success has already resulted in significant infrastructural development in Pakistan, and both countries look forward to furthering their strategic partnership in the years to come.
