Pakistan and China have launched a new air cargo route linking Guizhou province in southwestern China with Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, to enhance bilateral trade and connectivity between the two countries.
This comes ahead of Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to China. Both nations share a long-standing and robust partnership.
Details about the air route
This is the first air route connecting Guizhou with any Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) country, as per the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
The inaugural flight of this new route took off on May 28 from Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, carrying six tonnes of freight including clothing, electronics, and various commodities. After a nearly six-hour journey, the all-cargo plane landed in Karachi.
The return flight was scheduled to transport blue crabs from Pakistan back to Guiyang, showcasing the route's potential to facilitate the exchange of diverse goods between the two regions.
The flights on this route are planned to operate three times a week, carrying goods such as hardware accessories, clothing fabrics, and electronic accessories.
This development is expected to position Guiyang as a major cargo distribution hub in southwest China, reducing the delivery time for Pakistan’s quality fresh products to reach Guizhou.
Officials from both countries expressed optimism that this new route will significantly boost trade between Guizhou and Pakistan. They believe it will enhance economic cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship BRI project involving over $65 billion in investments for infrastructure development in Pakistan.
Another Air Cargo Route launched in January
In January, Pakistan and China launched another air cargo route, connecting Ezhou Huahu Airport in central China's Hubei province with Lahore, an eastern city in Pakistan. The Lahore-Hubei route was seen as a crucial step in strengthening bilateral connectivity and spurring trade between the two nations.
PM Shehbaz Scheduled to visit China
The inauguration of the Guiyang-Karachi air cargo route comes just ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to China, scheduled to begin on June 4, coinciding with the Result day of India's General elections.
During his five-day visit, Prime Minister Sharif is expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top Chinese businessmen. The discussions will focus on attracting more investments in the second phase of the CPEC projects and further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Overall, this new air cargo route signifies a deepening of economic ties between China and Pakistan, both countries are commiitted to enhance bilateral trade and cooperation under the broader framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Photo: Multiple Sources
(Inputs from Agencies)
ⒸCopyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media
