Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with Zou Zongming, Deputy Secretary of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China, during her visit to Shanghai on Wednesday. Zou extended a warm welcome and stressed the need to deepen economic cooperation between Punjab and Shanghai, particularly in trade, investment, science, technology, and industry. In response, the chief minister expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for supporting Pakistani students and professionals with education and training opportunities. She invited Shanghai-based companies to invest in Punjab’s Special Economic Zones and highlighted the province’s intent to collaborate in sectors such as automobiles, IT, semiconductors, and robotics. She acknowledged the role of Chinese companies in advancing Pakistan’s IT industry, emphasizing the sector’s growth potential in alignment with President Xi Jinping’s vision.
Maryam Nawaz also reflected on the growing relationship between Pakistan and China, stating that the connection with the Chinese people is deeply personal. She credited projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to the efforts of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, which she said had significantly strengthened bilateral ties. She assured Chinese investors of preferential facilities in Punjab and noted improving economic indicators in Pakistan after prolonged instability.
Zou reaffirmed China’s commitment to enhancing trade, investment, infrastructure, and cultural exchanges for mutual benefit. During her visit, Maryam Nawaz toured the Museum of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Shanghai, where she learned about the CPC’s historical journey, including Chairman Mao Zedong’s revolutionary contributions, the war with the British, the Russian Revolution, and achievements under President Xi Jinping. She praised the CPC’s 130-year legacy, stating that it had not only transformed China but also influenced the world. She described the museum as a powerful visual representation of China’s history and progress.
The chief minister also visited the Minhang District Industrial Zone and the Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trading Centre, exploring various products, including those at the Pakistani pavilion. She urged Punjab officials to study e-commerce practices and adopt strategies to boost the sector, aligning with Nawaz Sharif’s vision of creating an IT City in Punjab.
At Jinko Solar Company in Shanghai, Maryam Nawaz and her delegation were briefed on solar technology and innovative products. She proposed establishing a solar manufacturing plant and charging stations in Punjab to promote renewable energy solutions. Further, she highlighted Punjab’s commitment to reducing dependence on conventional fuels by transitioning to solar energy, which would help lower electricity costs, tackle environmental challenges, and provide sustainable energy to public institutions, residential areas, and rural communities. Moreover, she reaffirmed her vision to make Punjab a renewable energy hub, citing the province’s vast potential for solar power generation.
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