ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday stressed the need for closer cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad for early completion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“It is a transformational project and thus Pakistan and China should work more closely on it to make it a high-quality demonstration project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” the prime minister said during his meeting with Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong in Islamabad.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister Office, Mr Khan and Ambassador Nong Rong discussed bilateral relations, CPEC, Covid-19 vaccines as well as mutual cooperation in other sectors during the meeting.

“China-Pakistan cooperation in trade, commerce and investment, people-to-people contacts and mining and natural resources was also discussed,” the statement added.

The premier talked about the situation in Afghanistan, stressing that there was no military solution to the conflict.

“He reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to steadfastly support efforts for a negotiated political settlement,” the PM Office added.

Terming Pakistan and China “iron brothers”, Prime Minister Khan said “no hostile forces would be allowed to undermine the iron-clad friendship” between the two countries.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister Office said the envoy conveyed felicitations on Pakistan’s Independence Day as well as greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

For his part, PM Khan “warmly reciprocated” the greetings from the Chinese leaders, the statement added. He appreciated China’s “consistent support” to Pakistan in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and provision of vaccines, including those through Covax facility.

Pakistan’s vaccination campaign against coronavirus had been launched earlier this year after China donated 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine. Since then, the country has received millions of vaccines from China in the form of donations as well as purchases.

Earlier this week, the Chinese ambassador had informed President Dr Arif Alvi that his country would provide 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to Pakistan by the end of this year.