ISLAMABAD - Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative had across-the-board political and institutional support in Pakistan and the CPEC projects were progressing smoothly.

He also observed that Pakistan hoped that work on New Gwadar International Airport and other social welfare projects would also accelerate with Chinese assistance.

The chairman Senate, who is on a visit to China, made these remarks during his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said a statement issued by the Senate Secretariat here on Thursday.

He said that support of China Power was helping to meet the energy needs of Pakistan and the company was a source of confidence and trust between the two countries. Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani said that a Chinese company had expressed its willingness to send a technical team to Pakistan to discuss different options including financial support in the construction of much-needed Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

During the meeting in Beijing, both the sides agreed that the CPEC had added an economic dimension to the already excellent bilateral strategic relationship between the two countries. Sanjrani said that Pakistan and China were "iron friends" who had stood the test of time and huge changes and challenges in the region and international arena.

Sanjrani is visiting China on invitation of chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Wang Yang and leading a multiparty and multi-region delegation of senators and businessmen. He assured Chinese foreign minister of continuity of policy and commitment to the CPEC initiative and bilateral cooperation in other matters in the wake of change of political leadership in the country.

The chairman asked for concerted efforts for uplift of Gawadar and other areas of Balochistan on which, he said, success of the CPEC was dependent. He also urged for launching socio-economic development projects in Gawadar. The senators belonging to different political parties conveyed the best wishes of their leadership for the leaders of the government and people of China.

The chairman Senate assured of Pakistan's continued diplomatic support to the legitimate concerns of China and urged China to play enhanced role in alleviating the sufferings and human rights' violations of innocent Kashmiris in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The Chinese state councillor and foreign minister said that Pakistan' security, integrity, sovereignty and successful pursuit of socio-economic development of its people remained China's unequivocal resolve.

He expressed confidence that all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries would continue to grow regardless of changes in regional and international situations. China sees Pakistan as a reliable and close friend, and the relationship with Pakistan will continue to be priority for China, he said. Complementing Pakistan on the political transition underway, the state councillor said that China looked forward to working closely with Pakistan's new government to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Wang Yi stressed the importance of exchanges between legislative branches of the two countries. As representatives of the peoples of both countries, such interaction between legislators is essential for fostering close people-to-people ties, which are the foundation of any inter-state relationship, he said. Earlier in the day, the Pakistani delegation headed by chairman Senate held a meeting with Chairman of China Power Construction Company Limited.

The chairman Senate appreciated work of the company in Port Qasim power project and expressed the hope for more such projects by the company in the power sector of Pakistan. Chairman of China Power Construction Company assured of the company's expertise to provide better solutions in power-sector infrastructure development.

"We have held a meeting with the officials of China Power Company and requested them to come forward and help us through funding in the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam, for which, they have assured to send their technical team to Pakistan to discuss this matter with the concerned officials," he said.

Members of the delegation include senators Nuzhat Sadiq, Sitara Ayaz, Muhammad Akram, Dilawar Khan, Kauda Babar, Azam Khan Swati, Barrister Ali Khan Saif, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Behramand Tangi and Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez Malik.