LAHORE: Newly-appointed Chinese Consul General in Lahore Sun Yan has said that Pakistan and China are jointly moving towards an upgraded phase of cooperation under CPEC 2.0, which will focus on critical sectors such as industry, agriculture and mining, while emphasizing that human capital equipped with Chinese language skills will be essential for unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade and investment. He said that as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor deepens, professionals who understand Chinese language and culture will be in high demand, as language acts as a bridge for communication and a powerful tool to enhance mutual understanding and business collaboration between the two nations. He was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the concluding ceremony of a three-month Chinese language course organized for members of the business community. LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol warmly welcomed the Chinese Consul General and Chinese Commercial Consul Li Haoteng. LCCI Vice President Khurram Lodhi and Executive Committee Members Firdos Nisar, Ahad Amin Malik, Karamat Ali Awan, Abdul Majeed and Amir Ali were also present on the occasion. In his address, LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol said that the Pakistan-China friendship is time-tested and has always stood strong in every challenging situation, rooted in mutual trust, sincerity and unwavering support. He stated that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a landmark initiative that has transformed bilateral relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership encompassing trade, investment, infrastructure, technology and people-to-people linkages. He highlighted that China has consistently remained Pakistan’s largest trading partner, reflecting the depth of economic engagement between the two countries. However, he pointed out that there is a significant imbalance in bilateral trade, with Pakistan’s exports to China recorded at around 2.5 billion dollars compared to imports of approximately 16.3 billion dollars. He stressed the need for corrective measures and expressed hope that, with the facilitation of the Chinese Consulate, Pakistani exporters would be able to effectively utilize the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement to expand their footprint in the Chinese market. The LCCI President emphasized that Pakistan possesses strong export potential in sectors including agriculture, food processing, minerals, seafood, surgical instruments, sports goods, textiles, leather products and IT services. He said that with improved market access, better certification mechanisms and enhanced business-to-business cooperation, these sectors can significantly increase their presence in China. He further stated that Pakistan offers highly attractive investment opportunities in areas such as information technology, renewable energy, agriculture, electric vehicles, textiles and value-added manufacturing. He added that the Special Economic Zones established under CPEC provide an excellent platform for Chinese investors to expand their global operations while benefiting from Pakistan’s strategic geographic location. Faheem ur Rehman Saigol also underscored the importance of global economic stability, noting that ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Iran, Israel and the United States, have created uncertainty in international markets. He expressed confidence in China’s role in promoting dialogue and peaceful resolution, emphasizing that sustainable economic growth can only be achieved through stability, cooperation and diplomacy. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026