China accords Shahbaz head of state protocol

BEIJING: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is being accorded the special protocol which is normally given to a head of state or prime minister as one Chinese minister accompanied Sharif during his all-day visit. 

Shahbaz’s ongoing visit has further strengthened the bonds of friendship and relationship between the Chinese ruling party Communist Party and Pakistan's ruling party PML-N. Special arrangements were made during Shahbaz’s travel from Beijing to Jinan. Shahbaz interacted with Chinese people at Beijing railway station as people also chanted slogans of Pak-China friendship long live, Zindabad. Shahbaz arrived in Jinan by a fast train in one and half hours. Chinese Minister Zheng Xiaosong accompanied the chief minister which reflects the confidence in the leadership of Punjab. After his arrival, Punjab Shandong Business Conference was held Wednesday. Shahbaz Sharif and Vice Governor of Shandong province, Ji Xiang Qi, jointly presided over the conference. During the conference, the CM Punjab invited senior officials of Chinese companies and investors working in Pakistan especially Punjab to come to the stage and share their experiences with others. He requested Chinese investors and industrialists to listen to them and take decision immediately. The Chinese investors said their experience in Pakistan, especially Punjab, has been excellent. They said Punjab is attractive province for Chinese investors.  

Shahbaz addressed the conference attended by a large number of investors, industrialists and businessmen. Chinese businessmen investing in Pakistan, especially Punjab, shared their experiences on this occasion. Vice Governor of Shandong province Ji Xiang Qi, while speaking on the occasion, welcomed Shahbaz and his delegation on behalf of senior leadership of China. He said that Shandong and Punjab will add a new chapter to development cooperation. 

He said the Chinese leadership has given instructions for extending full cooperation to Punjab and all out efforts will be made in this regard. He said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has furthered Pak-China relations in the real sense. The chief minister said investors and industrialists of Pakistan and China have come together at an important juncture of history. He said half of the work has been completed on 1,320 megawatts coal power plant in Sahiwal which was started in June 2015 and will be completed in two years. He said that he has seen coal power plant set up in Talwandi, India, with the cooperation of China, which was completed in four and a half years. 

The chief minister, describing the views of Chinese investors working in Punjab as very encouraging, said he will recommend to the federal government to give a medal to the head of the Chinese company showing best performance in Pakistan. 

Prominent industrialist Mian Mansha said there is favourable atmosphere for Chinese investors in Pakistan, especially Punjab. He said Chinese traders can benefit from the GSP Plus status given to Pakistan. He said that there are vast opportunities for investment in textile, construction, cement and dairy development sectors in the country. He said that Pakistani investors will join hands with the Chinese investors. 

  The chief minister also visited Huaneng’s headquarters and later met Secretary Communist Party of China, Shandong Province Jiang Yikang, in Jinan. Talking to Shahbaz, Secretary Communist Party of China, Shandong Province, Jiang Yikang, said efforts are being made speedily for transforming the Pak-China friendship into solid economic cooperation. He hosted a dinner in honour of Shahbaz. A memorandum of understanding was also signed for promotion of cooperation between Punjab and Shandong provinces. Ji Xiang Qi and Punjab Industries Minister Ch Shafiq signed the MoU.