Pakistani delegation holds talks in Beijing on ties, CPEC and Gwadar
A Pakistani delegation including foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi and Balochistan officials held meetings in Beijing. They discussed bilateral ties, CPEC and the development of Gwadar Port.
- Delegation visited China at the Chinese government's invitation, arranged by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.
- Talks covered trade, CPEC, Gwadar Port and regional connectivity.
- Meetings were held with Chinese foreign ministry officials, Tianjin University and business institutions.
A Pakistani delegation has held high-level meetings in Beijing to discuss bilateral relations, regional cooperation and the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Associated Press of Pakistan and Minute Mirror reported on 8 November.
The group included foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi and government representatives from Balochistan. It travelled to China at the invitation of the Chinese government, and the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad organised the visit.
In Beijing the delegation met senior officials of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tianjin University and other government, academic and business institutions. According to Minute Mirror, the Chinese officials present included Cheng Wei, Counsellor in the Ministry's South Asia Division, and Li Xiang, Deputy Director-General at the Ministry. Gao Yuqing, Director of the Tianjin International Trade and Shipping Centre, also attended.
Discussions covered expanding trade, strengthening economic cooperation, developing Gwadar Port and advancing regional connectivity through CPEC, Minute Mirror reported.
Mehdi described Gwadar as a potential commercial gateway to West Asia. He said it could give China one of the shortest maritime trade routes to Europe and Africa. He also said security in Balochistan was gradually improving through strategies adopted by Pakistan's security forces, and stressed the need for a coordinated Pakistan-China approach to security challenges affecting CPEC projects.
Mehdi congratulated Chinese officials on their initiative to make Tianjin Port the world's first carbon-free port. He expressed hope that similar environmentally sustainable facilities could be developed at Karachi and Gwadar, and said upgrading Pakistan's ports to international standards could open more opportunities for economic cooperation.
Gwadar Port Authority Director Qazi Nematullah thanked China for its continued support for social welfare projects in Gwadar and discussed further cooperation in healthcare, including the possible establishment of a hospital there. Himal Dashti, representing Gwadar Port Development, thanked the Chinese hosts, and Pakistan Customs representative Hayat Murad presented traditional Balochi shawls and caps as a gesture of cultural friendship.
Why it matters
CPEC projects bring investment, jobs and infrastructure to Pakistan. Talks on Gwadar Port and possible health facilities there concern residents of Balochistan and traders who depend on port links. The discussion of port upgrades at Karachi and Gwadar bears on Pakistan's trade infrastructure.
