The Pakistani Information Minister expressed enthusiasm for Chinese Premier Li Qiang's upcoming visit, highlighting the enduring friendship between the two nations and the importance of ongoing cooperation projects between China and Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network on Sunday in Islamabad, Pakistan's Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, warmly welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who has been invited by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to attend the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and pay an official visit to Pakistan from from Monday to Thursday.
Recalling the last visit by former Premier Li Keqiang in 2013, Tarar emphasized the long-standing relationship between China and Pakistan.
"First of all, we are very excited to welcome the Chinese premier after eleven years in Pakistan, and Premier, His Excellency Li Qiang is a great friend of Pakistan, and under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, Pak-China relations have been strengthened. This is a bond that we share, and we call ourselves iron brothers, and it's a time-tested friendship," he said.
The minister highlighted the importance of the projects on the agenda during Prime Minister Sharif's visit to China in June.
"I think it is very heartening that a lot of projects had been discussed during our prime minister's visit to Beijing. We discussed the ML-1, we discussed the Gwadar International Airport, and a lot of projects were discussed," he noted, referring to the ML-1 or the Main Line-1, a railway project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the China-aided New Gwadar International Airport, which started flight tests in June.
Tarar expressed hope that the visit would lead to tangible outcomes for these initiatives.
"I think this time around when the Chinese premier is here, I hope and pray that these projects are taken forward and turned into something tangible, so we're looking forward to that. We're doing a lot of work regarding that, and we believe that the ML-1 and the Gwadar International Airport are extremely important for Pakistan to improve Pakistan's connectivity, for Pakistan's trade route, and for CPEC. So we're looking forward to working further on these projects," said Tarar.
Pakistani information minister hopes for tangible results during Chinese Premier's visit
Pakistani Information Minister looks to Chinese Premier’s visit for tangible results
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
