British News Agency

According to a CCTV report, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised China’s global initiatives during the General Debate of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Sharif said the initiatives provide pillars that could contribute to building a shared future for humanity.

Speaking at the General Debate in New York, Sharif said he appreciated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s leadership of the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative.

Sharif said, “On these pillars, we can certainly build a shared future for humanity.”

Noting that Pakistan has created new areas of cooperation with China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Sharif said the cooperation is being expanded to the Gulf region, Central Asia and beyond.

Sharif also said in his remarks at a high-level meeting held on Wednesday as part of the General Assembly sessions that CPEC complements the priorities of Pakistan’s development strategy and contributes to the country’s broader development goals.

Launched in 2013 and one of the major projects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, CPEC connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan with Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. While the first phase of the project focused on cooperation in energy, transportation and industry, the new phase is expected to include areas such as agriculture and livelihoods.

The 81st Session of the UN General Assembly will conclude on September 28.