SHANGHAI: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor will help to connect China, the Middle East, and the Gulf states.
He was delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of China International Import Expo in Shanghai.
The Prime Minister said that his government is working to bring change in the country and make the institutions more transparent and accountable.
“Government was introducing reforms in each sector of Pakistan to ensure desired results. “CPEC will open up new doors of the opportunities,” he underlined.
Imran Khan lauded the remarks of President Xi Jinping, who said “the doors of China will always remain open”, adding that Pakistan has a range of resources amidst the most diverse landscape.
Imran Khan said his government in Pakistan has initiated deep and meaningful reforms to ensure transparency and accountability and provide ‘flawless smart solutions for the government and the people’.
Imran Khan has recalled that his party ran campaign before the general elections to aware masses about the ‘much-needed change’ to steer the country out of crisis.
PM Khan also expressed his gratitude to the government of China for the warm hospitality.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin were also present at the event.
President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged to widen access to China’s economy, while delivering a veiled rebuke to Trumpism, as he kicked off an import fair amid growing foreign accusations his government was backtracking on grand reform promises.
Xi said China would “step up” efforts to stimulate imports, lower tariffs, ease customs clearance procedures, and implement harsh punishments for intellectual property infringements.
“It is our sincere commitment to open the Chinese market,” Xi said in an address opening the event in Shanghai. He added that China would endeavour to “foster a world-class business environment” and that China’s doors will open “ever wider”.
But he also pushed back at the foreign pressure in comments clearly aimed at Donald Trump, who has started a trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
“They should not just point fingers at others to gloss over their own problems,” Xi said, decrying “protectionism”, “isolationism” and confrontation.
“They should not hold a flashlight in hand, doing nothing but highlighting the weaknesses of others and not their own.”
Beijing frames the first annual China International Import Expo as a sign of its commitment to open markets despite mounting criticism to the contrary and the worsening trade war with Washington, which has seen both sides impose punitive tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.
Organisers say more than 3,000 foreign companies from 130 countries including the United States and Europe will put their products on display for potential Chinese buyers at the expo, including General Motors, Ford, Microsoft, Samsung, Walmart, and Tesla. nni
