China greets Sharif, calls to build economic corridor

Beijing: China on Thursday said it will continue to have mutually beneficial cooperation with Pakistan and called for steps to pursue the economic corridor to connect the two countries through PoK.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has sent his message of congratulation to Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif shortly after his election win. “China extends its warm congratulations to Sharif for being getting elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan,” Hong said.

“As a close and friendly neighbour, China will continue to have mutual beneficial cooperation with Pakistan in all fields and supports its efforts in realizing its national stability and economic and social development,” he said.

Hong specially mentioned the economic corridor proposed by the Chinese Premier during his last month’s visit to Pakistan. “We are ready to work with Pakistan to speed up the project of upgrading the Karakoram Highway, actively explore and develop the long-term plans of building a China-Pakistan economic corridor, expanding our shared interests,” Li had said.

Li was the first foreign dignitary to meet Sharif after the Pakistan election results was announced.

“China is ready to work with Pakistan to build project and to work on the planning and construction of the corridor, so as to make it a new highlight of the bilateral cooperation,” Hong said.

Both countries have completed the feasibility studies to build railway line connecting Kashghar in China’s Xinjiang province with PoK (Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir).