Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz begins landmark 8-day official visit to China
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has embarked on a historic eight-day official visit to China, making her the first female chief minister of Pakistan to visit the neighboring country. The visit, from December 8 to December 15, is aimed at strengthening the enduring bond between Pakistan and China, with a focus on fostering cooperation in multiple sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, clean energy, information technology, and environmental protection.
Upon her arrival at Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday, Maryam Nawaz Sharif was welcomed by representatives of the Chinese Communist Party, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmir, and other senior officials. Speaking during her reception, CM Maryam expressed her ambition to elevate Punjab’s economic and financial standing with China’s collaboration, highlighting the strength of Pak-China relations, which she described as “moving towards extremes of heights.”
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The chief minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Culture Azma Zahid Bokhari, Minister for Transport Bilal Akbar, Minister for Agriculture Ashiq Kermani, and other senior provincial officials.
Agenda of the Visit
The CM’s itinerary includes visits to key Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. During her stay, she will meet Chinese ministers, high-ranking officials, and industry experts to discuss collaborative initiatives in various sectors. She is scheduled to attend conferences, events, and ceremonies organized in her honor to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s visit is part of an invitation extended by the ruling Communist Party of China. Following her arrival in Beijing, she engaged in discussions with a delegation from the Communist Party, focusing on avenues to enhance mutual cooperation.
Focus Areas for Collaboration
The chief minister has emphasized that this visit is centered on advancing modern infrastructure in Punjab, enhancing the province’s healthcare and education systems, fostering clean energy initiatives, attracting investments in the IT sector, and tackling environmental challenges such as smog mitigation.
Earlier, CM Maryam shared her goals for the visit in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “This visit focuses on advancing modern infrastructure, enhancing healthcare systems, improving education, fostering clean energy initiatives, promoting IT investments, and addressing smog mitigation.”
Strengthening Historical Bonds
This visit follows the recent trip by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Pakistan in November 2024, where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad and met with Pakistani leaders. The CM’s visit is seen as a continuation of efforts to solidify the already robust ties between the two nations, which have been pivotal in economic and strategic collaborations over the years.
A Milestone for Women Leadership
Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s visit marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first female Pakistani chief minister to undertake an official visit to China. Her leadership and focus on innovation and development reflect the growing prominence of women in leadership roles in Pakistan.
This landmark visit is expected to bring substantial benefits to Punjab, furthering its development goals and strengthening its partnership with China for a prosperous future.
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