Islamabad, October 14, 2024 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang virtually inaugurated the newly completed Gwadar International Airport in a joint ceremony held at Prime Minister House, Islamabad, marking a significant milestone in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Prime Minister Sharif hailed the airport as a “gift from China,” symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two nations.
The ceremony was attended by key members of both countries’ delegations, including ministers, military leaders, and senior officials. Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted the transformative potential of the new airport for Gwadar’s economy and for Pakistan as a whole, calling it a “world-class airport” that will elevate regional connectivity and boost economic activities in the area.
“The completion of Gwadar International Airport is a testament to the time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China,” Sharif said, expressing gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and the people of China for their continuous support. He emphasized that the airport marks another major achievement under CPEC and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to working with China to ensure the successful completion of the second phase of the initiative.
Premier Li Qiang congratulated Pakistan on the completion of the airport and reaffirmed China’s dedication to enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations. He described the Gwadar International Airport as a crucial step toward realizing regional connectivity, a key pillar of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and lauded the project for its role in promoting shipping, port activities, and regional integration.
During his remarks, Premier Li also emphasized the “special relationship and friendship” between Pakistan and China, describing the two countries’ partnership as an unbreakable “ironclad” bond that continues to thrive despite global challenges. He reiterated China’s commitment to working closely with Pakistan to pursue high-quality, sustainable development projects under the Belt and Road Initiative.
13 MoUs Signed to Bolster Bilateral Cooperation
As part of the visit, Pakistan and China signed 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to deepen cooperation across various sectors, including security, education, agriculture, and technology. These agreements were exchanged following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Sharif and Premier Li, which covered the full spectrum of Pakistan-China relations, including trade ties and ongoing cooperation under CPEC.
Key agreements included an MoU on promoting cooperation under the CPEC Livelihood Working Group, as well as protocols on information and communication, flood control, and human resource development. The two countries also exchanged documents on a new currency swap agreement and protocols for the export of agricultural goods.
The visit and the signing of the agreements reaffirm the continued strength of the Pakistan-China partnership and underscore both nations’ commitment to enhancing economic collaboration and regional stability.
