Being CPEC frontier, Xinjiang has a historical role of connectivity: Caretaker PM Kakar
URUMQI, Xinjiang (92 News) - During his ongoing visit to China, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar arrived in Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region on Friday.
The prime minister visited Xinjiang University where he was welcomed by President of Xinjiang University, Yao Qiang and members of the academia.
Addressing a big gathering of notable scholars, researchers, academics, faculty members and students, the prime minister underscored that his visit to Xinjiang represented a milestone in the enduring relationship between Pakistan and China. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-China All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership for mutual peace, prosperity and development.
Prime Minister Kakar lauded the strategic significance of Xinjiang as a frontier of CPEC and noted the region’s historical role as a hub of connectivity as part of the ancient Silk Road. Noting the cultural and historical linkages between Xinjiang and Gilgit-Baltistan, the prime minister shared Pakistan’s interest in partnering with Xinjiang in promoting connectivity in terms of infrastructure development, economic synergy, trade and investment, agriculture, educational exchanges, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Highlighting the significance of educational linkages and the critical role of students in taking forward the relations between countries and peoples, the prime minister expressed high hopes in the youth of Pakistan and China to act as a bridge of friendship and brotherhood in the years to come.
The prime minister also visited the History Museum of Xinjiang University where he was briefed with regard to the history of the 99 year old Xinjiang University.
Meanwhile, PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar held a meeting with Ma Xingrui, member of the Politburo of Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Party Secretary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to friendship with China, the prime minister emphasized that relationship with China was the cornersto e of Pakistan’s foreign policy and an anchor for regional peace and development. Recalling his meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, the prime minister appreciated strong personal commitment of the Chinese leadership to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
Reiterating the importance of Xinjiang for Pakistan, Prime Minister Kakar underscored that the region held a specific significance due to its geographical, historical and cultural affinity with Pakistan. He stressed the importance of deepening of linkages between Xinjiang and the neighbouring areas of Pakistan in diverse fields of cooperation, ranging from trade and investment to cultural and people-to-people ties.
Thanking the prime minister for visiting Xinjiang, Party Secretary Ma Xingrui stated that there was immense potential to deepen Pakistan-Xinjiang ties in multiple domains. He expressed Xinjiang’s willingness to explore business and trade opportunities in Pakistan and to further facilitate commercial and people-to-people ties via Khunjerab-Sost border crossing. The two sides agreed to work together to harness the full potential of cooperation between Xinjiang and the neighbouring areas of Pakistan.
