Malik Ayub Sumbal (CGTN, Beijing): The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to China is of vital importance. Shehbaz Sharif will be the first foreign leader who is visiting the country after the just conclusion of 20th CPC meeting. The visit will definitely boost China Pakistan Economic Corridor as we have been seeing propaganda by Western media that is building a wrong narrative about both friendly countries. The visit will help overcome ambiguities surrounding CPEC. There had been a slow pace of work on CPEC projects during the tenure of PTI government. This visit will reinvigorate the project and kick off works which were facing delay.

Khalid Masood (Former Ambassador to China): The visit of Prime Minister to China is very important as a lot of developments have been taking place in the region and beyond. For example, tensions between China and the West, war in Ukraine, unstable situation in Afghanistan and many other issues are taking place in the world simultaneously. Since President Xi Jinping has been re-elected for another term, it was crucial that Pakistani leadership visits there to forge ties. Our Prime Minister will brief the Chinese leadership on economic and political situation in Pakistan as well as our views on issues around the world. This is the renewal of ties to more warmth. CPEC has achieved very good results in the first phase and we are entering into second phase of this mega project. Recently, JCC meeting was held in which outline was presented for what is next to come. Chinese side will hopefully understand our economic challenges and provide support to us in this difficult time. There have been attempts to sabotage CPEC by enemies of Pakistan including attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan. We have taken effective measures to foil these nefarious designs.