Dr. Rizwan Naseer (IR Expert): There is no doubt that China is the most trusted partner of Pakistan. In the recent visit of the Prime Minister to China, the leadership of both the countries discussed economic and strategic interests. Under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project, special economic zones will be established in all the provinces of Pakistan that will result in improvement of the industrial sector. The people of these areas will also get job opportunities. The Chinese foreign office also confirmed that both the countries have agreed to expedite the projects under CPEC and both the countries are going to benefit from this game changer project. The German Chancellor during the visit to China also expressed interest in the Belt and Road Initiative. Already over 70 countries are part of the project and this venture is going to connect Asia with Europe. China is also a permanent member of the United Nations and has always supported Pakistan's narrative on the Kashmir issue. The European parliament has also expressed concerns over what is going on in India with the minorities and the genocide of the Kashmiris in IIOJ&K. Pakistan must do strong lobbying to seek the world's support on Kashmir issue.  

Najam us Saqib (Former Ambassador): The main objective of the visit of the Prime Minister to China was to strengthen bilateral ties in all fields. In the joint declaration after the visit of PM Shahbaz Sharif to China, it is clearly stated that China will continue to support Pakistan in future. The visit of the Prime Minister quashed the rumours of delay in completion of the CPEC project. Both the countries have mutually agreed to expedite the work on development projects and also expand the scope of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project. The pending development projects including special economic zones and ML-1 have been revisited and reviewed. The Prime Minister also congratulated the Chinese President Xi Jinping on his re-election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China for the 3rd term.