PM Khan meets Chinese President Xi in Beijing.

Byline: Sanaullah Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Sunday, the last day of his four-day official visit.

Prior to his meeting with President Xi, the prime minister and his delegation met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and discussed bilateral issues and regional matters. Delegation-level talks were held with both Chinese leaders.

A diplomat speaking to Dawn earlier said that the discussions between Prime Minister Imran and President Xi will be very specific about what has to be done by the two countries under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He added that industrial cooperation would be the most important element of the next stage of CPEC.

Prime Minister Imran and Premier Keqiang also signed the Main Line-1 railways agreement today, Radio Pakistan reported.

Under the project, a double railway track will be laid from Peshawar to Karachi. The speed of trains on the new track will be around 160 kilometres per hour, according to Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid.

After his meetings with Chinese leadership, the prime minister attended the Pak-China Trade Investment Forum.

Meeting with President Xi

Prime Minister Imran Khan met President Xi accompanied by ministers and a senior-level delegation. Reaffirming the 'All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership' between Pakistan and China, the two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations in a warm and cordial atmosphere, stated a press release issued by the prime minister's spokesperson.

They affirmed the resolve to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership in all fields including political, security, economic and trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked President Xi for the warm and gracious welcome accorded to him in China, and for China's steadfast support to Pakistan on all issues.

The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan's support to China on all issues of its core interest and congratulated President Xi on the successful convening of the 2nd BRF, which the press release described as a "practical manifestation of his [Xi's] far-reaching vision", and highlighted its significance as an important international platform for connectivity and sharing of experience among the BRI participating countries.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to CPEC and highlighted the foray into new areas of agriculture, industrial development and socioeconomic...