ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed the desire to learn from China how to fight the monsters of poverty, rampant corruption and downfall of agriculture sector.

“Pakistan would like to learn from Chinese experience in poverty alleviation, fighting corruption and agriculture development through sharing expertise, technology and best practices in the sector,” he said on Monday in a meeting with members of a visiting delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) headed by Minister of International Development of China Song Tao at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Earlier, the prime minister received the delegation and hoped that its visit would further cement bilateral relations between the two countries.

PM Khan said the China International Import Expo, being held next month, would provide an opportunity to two sides to look into export possibilities from Pakistan to China.

President Xi Jinping’s terming of this friendship as that of “iron brothers” reflects an undeniable reality.

Mr Khan said President Xi was a great statesman for whom there was much admiration by the people of Pakistan.

Appreciating the growing relations between PTI and CPC, the PM emphasised on further enhancing these ties through exchange of delegations and sharing of ideas. On his upcoming visit to China, Mr Khan said he looked forward to his meetings with the Chinese leadership.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Song Tao underscored the importance attached by the leadership and people of China to relations with Pakistan. He assured China’s support to Pakistan at all regional international fora, as well as in addressing the agenda of poverty alleviation, fighting corruption and agricultural development.

Chinese minister said exchanges between political parties would help in sharing ideas to achieve common and shared development. He termed China Pakistan Economic Corridor as a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative, which would make significant contributions towards building a “new” Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2018