CPEC 2.0 in focus as PM Shehbaz visits China

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Saturday for what the Chinese Foreign Ministry described as an “important high-level exchange” between the two countries as they mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

“China hopes that both sides will take the visit as an opportunity to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen cooperation in all fields and write a new chapter in building an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

The visit, which will take place from May 23 to 26, is expected to highlight a new chapter in the 75-year-old relationship between China and Pakistan, which has long been recognized for their mutual trust and enduring cooperation despite changing international circumstances, according to a commentary published in China. CGTN website.

At a ceremony held in Islamabad on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz hailed the “steadfast” friendship between Pakistan and China and said China had constantly supported Pakistan during both prosperity and hardships. “Earthquakes, floods, peace and difficult times: China has always supported Pakistan unwaveringly,” he said.

Over the past 75 years, Pakistan and China have had ever-expanding ties. In 2015, the two countries elevated their relations to an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and later agreed to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

Qian Feng, director of the research department at the Institute of National Strategy at Tsinghua University, said the visit reflects Pakistan’s willingness to attract more Chinese private companies and inject new impetus into bilateral economic cooperation.

Read more: PM Shehbaz arrives in Hangzhou on four-day official visit to China

Economic cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), launched in 2013, remains the cornerstone of bilateral relations. Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, in a recent article, described CPEC as a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, saying it had attracted more than $25.9 billion in direct investment and created more than 260,000 jobs in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with Wang Hao, Party Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, in Hangzhou on Saturday and discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation. PHOTO: APP

According to Chinese officials, CPEC projects have added more than 8,000 MW to Pakistan’s energy capacity, developed 510 kilometers of roads and 886 kilometers of transmission lines, while the Gwadar port has expanded into a major regional hub capable of handling large cargo ships. The Suki Kinari hydropower project in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is also generating 884 MW of clean energy, reducing dependence on coal and carbon emissions.

Pakistan’s Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said the CPEC had significantly strengthened Pakistan’s energy security, infrastructure and regional connectivity, while laying the foundation for a modern economic framework.

During the seventh round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in January, both countries agreed to further align development priorities and accelerate work on an upgraded version of the corridor, commonly known as CPEC 2.0.

Also read: Pakistan-China friendship ‘tested and unbreakable’, says PM Shehbaz on 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties

“CPEC is now entering its second phase, marking a strategic shift from infrastructure development to industrialization, innovation and inclusive growth,” Iqbal said, adding that both sides hoped to transform the project into a corridor of “hope, innovation, opportunity and prosperity.”

Pakistan-China-Afghanistan affairs expert Rashid Safi described Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit as strategically important for regional stability, economic cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations.

He said the visit was taking place at a critical time when both countries were celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations amid changing geopolitical dynamics, economic challenges and regional security concerns. “In this context, the visit is considered a great effort to give a new direction to the future partnership between the two brotherly countries,” he said. APPLICATION.

According to Safi, the visit goes beyond formal diplomacy and aims to achieve progress in economic cooperation, investment, technology, media, information technology, industrial collaboration, agriculture and regional connectivity.

He said the prime minister’s first stop in Hangzhou was particularly significant because the city is considered one of China’s leading centers of advanced technology, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and digital economy.

Safi added that the prime minister’s planned visit to the Alibaba Group headquarters would be of particular importance as Pakistan seeks to accelerate digitalization, e-commerce expansion and IT exports. He added that under CPEC 2.0, both countries were now placing special emphasis on industrial zones, exports, youth employment, agricultural reforms, technology transfer and regional trade connectivity.

“Pakistan seeks to accelerate economic growth by relocating Chinese industries, manufacturing and investments, while China views Pakistan as an important trade, logistics and economic hub in the region,” he said.

Regional and global developments are also expected to feature prominently during the visit, particularly tensions involving the United States and Iran, the situation in the Middle East, developments in the Arabian Sea, energy supply routes, Afghanistan and overall regional stability.

Safi said both Pakistan and China favored dialogue, diplomacy and economic cooperation over conflict, arguing that connectivity and confidence-building remained essential for regional prosperity. He also praised China’s governance and public security systems, saying many Chinese cities have become examples of discipline, security and public trust.

“In several Chinese cities, both local residents and foreign tourists enjoy an extremely safe environment,” he said, adding that late-night public activity and the safe movement of women, families and foreigners reflected the success of China’s governance model.

According to Safi, the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and China extends beyond diplomacy, with both countries constantly supporting each other during difficult periods.

“This is why Pakistan-China ties are globally recognized as an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” he said, adding that the celebrations for 75 years of diplomatic relations reflected both nations’ commitment to shared development, regional stability, economic cooperation and a more connected Asia.

(With additional contributions from agencies)