Pakistan and China signed 13 agreements on Monday, including a currency swap, aimed at boosting economic growth and productivity in sectors such as security, education, agriculture, human resource development, and science and technology.
The signing ceremony, which took place at the Prime Minister’s House, was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. This marked the first visit of any Chinese prime minister to Pakistan after an 11-year hiatus. The two leaders virtually inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport, a significant component of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
During the virtual inauguration, Prime Minister Sharif described the airport as a “gift,” emphasizing the long-standing friendship between the two countries. He expressed hope that the completion of the airport would transform Gwadar’s economy and contribute to Pakistan’s overall economic development. Prime Minister Sharif and Premier Qiang also held a delegation-level meeting to discuss various aspects of Sino-Pak ties, including economic and trade relations and cooperation under the CPEC project.
The exchange of documents included a handing over certificate for the “Smart Classrooms Project,” as well as the minutes of the 13th meeting of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee and the 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar under CPEC. Additionally, the two countries exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on promoting cooperation on livelihood working groups of CPEC, as well as documents related to strengthening cooperation in information and communication, water conservancy facilities, flood control, calamity reduction, and security.
Furthermore, the agreements covered joint laboratories, co-production of TV programs, and a protocol on quarantine requirements for the export of donkey meat to China. The announcement of the Currency Swap Agreement between the People’s Bank of China and the State Bank of Pakistan was also made during the ceremony.
In a statement, the Chinese premier expressed his admiration for the warm hospitality of the Pakistani side and emphasized the profound brotherly friendship between the two nations. He highlighted Pakistan’s significance as an important developing country, an emerging market, and a major Muslim country, and reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening reform and development.
