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PM Nawaz and Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang signed INK 19 energy, Dev agreement.

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BJING: Pakistan and China on Saturday inked 19 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) mainly on projects relating to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and electricity generation to further boost bilateral ties.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

Among the agreements signed bilaterally included Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement between China and Pakistan, Framework Agreement on Provision of Concessional Loan by China to Pakistan, CPEC Energy Projects Cooperation, Government Concessional Loan Agreement on Construction of Cross-border Optical Fibre Cable System between China and Pakistan for International Connectivity of Voice/Data Traffic Project, and Framework Facility Agreement on Suki-Kinari Hydro Power Project between China EXIM Bank and Suki-Kinari Hydro Power Project.

Both sides also signed an MoU on the outline of the long-term plan of CPEC, capacity building for development of CPEC between NDRC of China and Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform of Pakistan, minutes of the 3rd JCC of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Surface Mine in Block-II of Thar Coalfield and the Engro Thar 2x330MW Coal-fired Power Plant. The two countries also inked the Memorandum of Facilitation Agreement on Muzaffargarh 660MW Coal-fired Power Project between CMEC and Government of Punjab, MOA relating to development of 2x660MW Coal-fired Power Project at Qadarabad, Sahiwal, 99MW UEP Power Project EPC Framework Agreement, Quaid-i-Azam Solar Energy Park 900MW Solar Power Station Project between ZTE Energy and Government of Punjab, Implement Agreement on Dawood 50MW Wind Farm between Hydro China Corporation and AEDB Pakistan, EPC Agreement of 6.5 Mt/a Open Pit Mine in Thar Block I, Coal Supply Contract under the Project of Integrated Mine Mouth Coal Power Plant in Thar Block I and MoU for Development of Thermal Power Assets in Pakistan.

Pakistan and China also signed Framework Agreement on Ruyi-Masood Textile Industrial Park and 2x135MW Self-generation Coal-fired Power Plant between Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Ruyi-Masood Textile Company of Pakistan and an MoU on Coal Power Plant in Port Qasim.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif held bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People.

Nawaz conveyed that Pakistan-China friendship enjoyed across-the-board political, institutional and popular support in Pakistan.

The Chinese leaders reiterated to continue to support Pakistan in developing economy and maintaining stability, since China and Pakistan were "iron friends" and all-weather partners of strategic cooperation. They stated that they would create a green channel for timely release of funds for development projects initiated by China in Pakistan.

The prime minister was pleased that over the last year both sides have achieved better understanding on various projects related to energy and 'infrastructure. He said that Pakistan supported China's stance on all major issues, especially on those involving China's core interests.

Nawaz agreed that Pakistan would strengthen cooperation with China in building infrastructure, cracking down on terrorist forces such as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, and maintaining regional stability. China blames the East Turkestan Islamic Movement for carrying out attacks in Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur people, though many foreign experts doubt the group's existence in a cohesive group.

China, Pakistan's only major ally in the region, has long urged Islamabad to weed out what it says are militants from Xinjiang, who are holed up in a lawless tribal belt, home to a lethal mix of militant groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda. The meetings were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere displaying strong mutual trust, cooperation and convergence of views of the two countries.

End.