Pakistan would work with China to promote a shared destiny of achievements and progress and foster peace and harmony in the region and the world. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif said this on Thursday.

Mr Sharif began his first official visit to China on Tuesday, among the first foreign leaders to visit China after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The prime minister said that the 20th CPC National Congress conveyed a powerful message across the world that China stands by continuity, stability, and peaceful coexistence.

Mr Sharif said Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee was important not only to the Chinese but 

to other people of the world.

“Today, under President Xi’s leadership, China is a country without which the world cannot move on. This is a great sense of achievement,’’ he said, explaining that Pakistan is trying to learn from China.

Mr Sharif added that he had no doubt that China would grow and progress by leaps and bounds, and the Pakistan-China friendly relations would further deepen and strengthen.

Pakistan and China have enjoyed an unprecedented and unique friendship, or Iron Brotherhood, over the seven decades since establishing diplomatic ties.

He stressed that the two countries had promoted relations based on mutual trust, respect and cooperation.

Mr Sharif commended the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a game changer in transforming Pakistan’s power, energy, infrastructure and public transport sectors.

“I must tell you with a sense of satisfaction that these CPEC energy projects were completed and made operational faster than Chinese regard. This is what we call ‘Pakistan speed,’’ said the prime minister, referring to the Shenzhen speed in China.

The Pakistani prime minister added, “That’s what this brotherhood, cooperation and friendship is about.”

(Xinhua/NAN)