'I've come to learn from China's experiences,' PM Khan tells Chinese President

BEIJING: Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting with President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday.

The two leaders reviewed the Pakistan-China bilateral relations and held in-depth discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to a statement.

President Xi Jinping congratulated PM Khan on his election to the office of Pakistan’s chief executive.  He conveyed his desire to work with the prime minister for strengthening Pakistan-China strategic cooperative partnership for shared future.

The prime minister thanked the Chinese President as well as the government and people of China for their warm sentiments. He congratulated them on the 40th anniversary of “Reform and Opening-up”, which has resulted in China’s meteoric rise.

He stressed that the friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and expressed the earnest desire of his government to further consolidate this relationship.

The prime minister emphasized that President Xi’s vision of connectivity – Belt and Road, and its flagship project CPEC, would lead to shared prosperity in the region and beyond. They reviewed the progress on CPEC, expressed satisfaction on its achievements, and expressed determination for its early completion to maximize the benefits for Pakistan.

President Xi renewed commitment to strengthen the Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership for Shared Future in the New Era. He reiterated China’s steadfast support to Pakistan on all issues of core interest.

The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to work closely towards overcoming growing political-economic uncertainties.

PM Khan extended an invitation to President Xi Jinping to visit Pakistan, which the latter accepted.

He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister for Planning Khusro Bakhtiar, Advisor to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Balochistan Chief Minister Kamal Khan.

AFP adds: Greeted by Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Khan said he had come to “learn” from China’s experiences in combatting poverty and corruption.

“Unfortunately we have inherited a very difficult economic situation,” Khan said.

“Countries go in cycles. They have their high points, they have their low points. Unfortunately our country is going through a low point at the moment,” he said.

Xi said he attached “great importance to China- Pakistan relations” and was “willing to work together with the prime minister to strengthen China-Pakistan’s all-weather strategic partnership and build a new era of China-Pakistan destiny.”

But neither leader announced any deals. Khan will meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday and will attend a massive import expo hosted by Xi in Shang.