LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Pak-China friendship has become stronger and a new history of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has been written in the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He said this while inaugurating Chinese Consulate in Muslim Town area on the occasion of national day of China and also hoisted Chinese flag on the building on Wednesday. He congratulated Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong, Consul General Yu Boren and other Chinese officials on the inauguration of Chinese Consulate on the 66th national day of China. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, he said that agreements for projects of billions of dollars were signed between China and Pakistan during the visit of Chinese president and their implementation has been started within only a few months.

He said that work is continuing on these projects expeditiously, adding he is personally monitoring the pace of progress on the projects and had visited the coal power project in Sahiwal and also reviewed the pace of construction work. The chief minister said that he is happy that the work on the project is continuing speedily and machinery for the project has also started reaching Karachi port which will soon be transported to Sahiwal. He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will not only benefit Pakistan but the countries of the whole region. He said that CPEC projects will usher a new era of progress and prosperity in Pakistan and energy projects to be set up under CPEC will remove darkness from the country.

He said that work is being carried out expeditiously on the projects under CPEC, adding an amount of 33 billion dollars out of economic package of China is being spent only on energy projects including Sahiwal coal power project. He said that work is in progress at an extraordinary speed on this 1320 megawatts coal power project. He said that the speed at which these projects are being implemented is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan.

Referring to Pakistan-China friendship, Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is proud of its friendship with China. He said that China is a reliable and trustworthy friend of Pakistan and has supported it at every hour of need. He said that now when Pakistan was facing serious energy shortage, China has come forward for its help. He said that Pakistan-China friendship is sweeter than honey, higher than Himalayas, deeper than ocean and stronger than steel. He said that both the countries have common stance on international issues, peace and mutual respect. He said that due to excellent economic policies of China and the hard work of Chinese leadership, China has become a big economic force in the world.

The chief minister said that historic economic package of China is a splendid gift for the people of Pakistan and the nation will never forget. Appreciating the address of Chinese president at UN General Assembly, the chief minister said that he delivered an excellent speech like an international leader for helping developing countries. Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong while speaking on the occasion said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has played an important role in strengthening relations between the two countries. He said that bilateral ties between Pakistan and China are touching new heights.

Consul General Yu Boren, Provincial Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Parliamentary Secretary Rana Muhammad Arshad, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, members provincial assembly and senior officials of Chinese Embassy and Consulate were also present on the occasion.