ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who landed in Islamabad on a four-day official earlier today ahead of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, virtually inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport part of the multi-billion dollars CPEC project.

“The completion of Gwadar airport is an important milestone,” the visiting dignitary said while addressing the signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between the two countries aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation.

He also commended the person-hours efforts of Pakistan and China to complete the project.

The two sides also signed 13 accords to boost bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors including security, education, agriculture, human resources development and science and technology. 

They exchanged documents of the accords after PM Shehbaz and Chinese premier held the delegation-level talks wherein they discussed all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Both countries exchanged the documents of a handing over certificate of Smart Classrooms project inked by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

They exchanged the minutes of 13th meeting of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee and 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar under CPEC.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Lou Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency exchanged an MoU on Promoting Cooperation on Livelihood Working Group of CPEC.

Pakistan and China also reached an understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fields of “Information and Communication”, “Water Conservancy Facilities, Flood Control and Calamity Reduction”, and “Security.” The MoUs in this regard were exchanged by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency.

Ahad Cheema and Luo Zhaohui also exchanged documents of Letters of Exchange on “Human Resource Development under the GDI” and “Assistance Program of Fire Fighting Vehicles to Islamabad.”

Two countries exchanged an MoU on Jointly Supporting the Joint Laboratories inked by Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Sajid Baloch and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.

The countries also agreed on the “Co-production of TV Programs” and the document was signed by Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan and Chinese Ambassador Zaidong.

Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanvir Hussain and Jian Zaidong, Ambassador of China to Pakistan exchanged the documents of protocol on Quarantine Requirments of export of donkey meat to China.

The neighbouring countries also signed a Currency Swap Agreement and a Protocol on Quarantine Requirements for the export of donkey meat to China.

Earlier, as Premier Li arrived at PM House, Prime Minister Shehbaz warmly received him at the formal welcome ceremony where he was given a guard of honor before proceedings for the meeting and delegation-level talks. 

This is being updated with further details.