“..security situation has certainly improved over the past few years”
PKONWEB Report – China’s ambassador Yao Jing on Thursday said an embassy branch would be opened in Lahore for issuance of Chinese visa. “Pakistani citizens would be facilitated in the issuance of Chinese visa as the branch would be made functional next month,” the envoy said.
The Chinese ambassador on same day called on Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and held meetings at their respective offices.
At the meeting at Governor’s House, the governor said Pakistan would take all possible steps to get advantage of the Chinese economic model that had made unprecedented progress by lifting more than 700 million people out of the poverty in the past three decades.
“We are also striving for ending corruption and bring about transparency in the system as the Chinese have done successfully,” he added.
Jing also visited the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) office in Lahore and met with CM Punjab Buzdar and other officials. Chairman PBIT was also present.
The two sides discussed Pak-China bilateral relationship including the CPEC projects, investment and business opportunities in Punjab specially in technology and agricultural potential.
Chief minister of the country’s largest province Mr. Buzdar said the government was establishing technical universities in D.G. Khan and Mandi Bahauddin. He said an industrial park was being set up in southern Punjab for the promotion of agro-based industries. “The Chinese investors should take benefit of investment opportunities in special economic zones”.
He said the government was interested in utilizing the latest Chinese technology in agriculture, tourism and technical and vocational training sectors with emphasis on investment and social development. “- social sector was a priority of the government, he said.
Jing also visited the Haier conomic Zone, Ruba Economic Zone and the JW Forland SEZ in Lahore. Turnover of Ruba company has increased from $1 million to $900 million in 10 years. JW Forland will bring cheaper vehicles to local people, said the management to the envoy.
Moreover, the efforts of Peshawar Zalmi in the promotion of cricket in China were also discussed with Afridi brothers.
Earlier this week, the ambassador met with Federal Minister of Interior, Brig (R) Ijaz Ahmad Shah. “Pakistan is a peaceful country and the security situation has certainly improved over the past few years,” Jing said.
The Chinese envoy and the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan also met this week and exchanged notes on recent developments.
The official twitter handle of Indian HC Thursday released a picture of the envoys sharing a smile.
“High Commissioner @Ajaybis met Chinese Amb Yao Jing today at @CathayPak, to exchange notes on recent developments. #trivia: the two envoys presented credentials on the same day in December 2017.”
