President Xi Jinping on Sunday said his first trip to Pakistan is like visiting the home of his “own brother” as he vowed to firm up China’s strategic ties with its all-weather friend by making progress on various fronts, including the $ 46 billion bilateral economic corridor.
“This will be my first trip to Pakistan, but I feel as if I am going to visit the home of my own brother,” Xi said in an article for the Pakistani media ahead of his visit.
“I look forward to working with Pakistani leaders during the visit to explore the general framework for bilateral cooperation, make substantial progress in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and practical cooperation in other fields and push for the furtherance of bilateral ties at a higher level,” he said in the signed article carried by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
Pakistan is the first stop of Xi’s first overseas trip this year.
The Chinese president is to visit the country on Monday and Tuesday before attending the Bandung Conference in Indonesia.
During his visit, Xi will meet with his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other Pakistani leaders for in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and discuss issues of common interest.
He is expected to unveil a host of projects under the corridor linking China’s Xinjiang province with Gwadar port through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). China and Pakistan need to align development strategies more closely to realise the dreams of the two peoples, he said.
“We need to enhance strategic coordination, deepen practical cooperation and work together for common development. We will build the China-Pakistan community of common destiny and set a fine example for such efforts by China and its neighbouring countries,” Xi said.
The two countries need to align economic and trade strategies more closely to deepen economic integration, said the ruling Communist Party General Secretary.
He gave particular importance to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is located where the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road meet.
“We need to form a ‘1+4’ cooperation structure with the Economic Corridor at the center and the Gwardar Port, energy, infrastructure and industrial cooperation being the four key areas to drive development across Pakistan and deliver tangible benefits to its people,” he said.
In the article, he also highlighted the need to boost security cooperation, intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges and coordinate diplomatic strategies between the two countries.
Pak expects $50 bn investment
Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive here tomorrow on his maiden visit to Pakistan during which the two sides will sign several agreements, including defence, worth $ 50 billion that will stabilise Pakistan's cash-strapped economy and expand the Communist giant's influence in India's neighbourhood. A fleet of eight JF-17 Thunder fighter jets - jointly made by the two countries - will escort the Chinese president once his plane enters the Pakistani airspace. A red-carpet welcome will be accorded to Xi who has chosen Pakistan his first destination for foreign trip in 2015 after cancelling his previous trips.
Foreign Office said that Xi will meet President Mamnoon Hussain and hold official talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He will also meet the chiefs of three services and address a joint session of Parliament. President Xi, also the General-Secretary of the ruling Communist Party, will be conferred the 'Nishan-e-Pakistan', the highest civilian award, at a special ceremony.
"Both countries would conclude a number of important Agreements/MoUs relating to key development projects in the infrastructure, energy, and communication sectors under the ambit of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," the Foreign Office said without giving details.
An official of the finance ministry told a news agency that agreement and MoUs of about $ 50 billion are expected to be signed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).