Pakistan, China to speed up CPEC 2.0 work, pursue upgraded trade deal

China and Pakistan have agreed to move ahead with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) 2.0, work on an upgraded bilateral free trade agreement and expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital economy, agriculture and other sectors.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning shared the details after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif completed his official visit to China from May 23 to 26, CEN reported.

She said the visit took place as both countries marked 75 years of diplomatic relations and helped strengthen ties between Islamabad and Beijing.

Mao Ning said engagement between the two sides covered leadership-level diplomacy, economic cooperation and coordination on international matters.

During the visit, China and Pakistan signed several cooperation documents in economy and trade, science and technology, agriculture and food, human resources and other fields.

She said both countries were at important stages of development and had opportunities to advance modernisation and cooperation across different sectors.

Mao Ning said China was willing to work with Pakistan to strengthen political trust, deepen practical and security cooperation, improve coordination on international issues and further develop bilateral relations.