ISLAMABAD, Sept 08 (INP): China gets the central place in the foreign affairs’ agenda of the new government and it was hoped the current visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi will further raise trust and understanding between the two sides in pushing forward their multilateral strategic partnership.

The visit of Wang Yi, who enjoys a most significant position in the Chinese hierarchy, will increase the momentum of the two counties’ deep-rooted all-weather friendship, officials said here on Saturday.

While commenting on the visit, the officials said it gives a clear message to the world that bound of their bilateral relations stand too high in comity of the nations.

After the party's victory in the 2018 General Election, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) Twitter account sent out its first message in Chinese to emphasize the close relationship between Pakistan and China.

In the tweet, the PTI chief said that he would work to strengthen and improve Pakistan’s relationship with China.

In his victory speech, Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that his government would explore investment opportunities under the umbrella of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is considered a vital plank of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and would also learn from them in regards to poverty alleviation and corruption control.

In its manifesto, the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, declared that its government will make Pakistan business-friendly and turn the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor into a game-changer by enhancing bilateral relations.

According to the sources, the new government is ready to take CPEC to the next level with the establishment of nine Special Economic Zones. Minister for Planning, Development & Reform, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar?, has instructed the authorities to fast-track the processes to ensure early implementation of this important sector of CPEC.

Pakistan’s new government is not oblivious to its responsibilities for ensuring repaid progress of CPEC. The Chinese government also expects the government of Pakistan to continue with their smooth and timely implementation of CPEC projects.

It is expected that the state leader Wang Yi’s visit will further improve relations between the two governments in all spheres, including in the affairs affairs. The two governments' will work more closely to promote peace and stability in the region.

The CPEC, a flagship BRI project, is the largest Chinese investment in Pakistan to date. Often termed as a game changer, the mega-project involves a huge financial inflow into Pakistan to improve infrastructure, energy and trade development as well as create job opportunities.

CPEC has already started to benefit Pakistan’s ailing economy. Due to the completion of energy projects, the country’s severe energy crisis is about to end.

Massive infrastructure projects are improving connectivity and new jobs are being created, thus improving the economy.

After the establishment of industrial zones, it is believed that the process of industrialization in Pakistan will begin, further strengthening the economy of Pakistan, the official added.

INP/J/LK