Then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, paid a visit to China where the historic MoU for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was signed on 5th July 2013 in the presence of the Prime Ministers of both countries. This MoU kick-started a series of economic activities which can prove to be a game-changer for the entire region and uplift the lives of about 3 billion people across China, Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
The all weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two nation has been broadened under the CPEC framework which is principle strategic component of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative. With concerted efforts from the leadership of both nations, the first phase of CPEC has successfully been completed. CPEC has stepped into its second phase which entails multiple new sectors of cooperation, including industrial development, agricultural, science and information technological cooperation among others. 
CPEC is reflection of enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, a partnership deeply rooted in mutual trust, respect, and shared aspirations. At its core, CPEC embodies the vision of connectivity, development, and economic empowerment for our people. It is a catalyst for job creation, skill development, and technology transfer, empowering our youth and fostering innovation-led growth. Through strategic collaboration with Chinese partners, we are nurturing human capital, enhancing productivity, and equipping our workforce with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century global economy. CPEC is more than just a corridor of roads and bridges; it is a pathway to prosperity, stability, and shared prosperity for generations to come.
The global economic landscape has changed dramatically. The main drivers of this change have been technology, trade liberalization, free capital movements, advances in communication and transportation infrastructure, and creation of cross border supply chains. The centre of gravity of the world economy has shifted to the east with the emerging economies growing at a much faster pace than the developed economies. Regional cooperation agreements have proliferated and strengthened in recent times to capture this change especially in the global economic landscape. At this historic juncture let’s resolve to stand together as a nation in warmly welcoming our Chinese counterparts and creating an enabling environment for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor to fulfill our ambition of making it one of 21st Century’s most transformational projects.