ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Mr Yao Jing has said China and Pakistan would observe the year 2019 as a year of industrial, socioeconomic and agriculture cooperation which would take the Sino-Pakistan friendship to the next level.

He expressed these views while addressing the participants of reception to commemorate the new Chinese lunar year hosted by Chinese embassy here to honour the services of Pakistan, China Alumni.

The Chinese ambassador said that both the countries would expedite projects by promoting joint ventures and export-led growth under CPEC this year.

Referring to the decisions taken at the Joint Working Group meeting, the ambassador said all deliverables were achieved at the meeting and the scope of the cooperation was expanded to new avenues.

He said that the MoU on Industrial Cooperation signed during 8th JCC provides a framework to promote communication across key industries such as textile, petrochemical and iron and steel, thereby encouraging Chinese investors to relocate and explore opportunities of investment in Pakistan.

He said that the Ministry of Interior has been doing wonders for the security of Chinese nationals working on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Addressing on the occasion, Zamir Ahmed Awan said that there are 28,000 Pakistani students studying in China while 20,000 engineers have already graduated from various Chinese institutions.

“We need to involve our engineers graduated from China in CPEC projects. They better understand the cultural strengths and norms of both countries. They can better serve the CPEC projects. We will request the government of Pakistan to involve Pakistani scholars with CPEC projects,” he added.

Awan said it was a pity that there are almost negligible percentage of Chinese-Pakistani scholars working on CPEC projects. “We need to enhance the number of our scholars who have graduated from Chinese institutions. This would help take Sino-Pakistan cooperation to the next level,” he concluded.

On the occasion, various Chinese companies held several lucky draws and guests were given away gifts to make New Year celebrations memorable.