Gujrat and Loudi, a city in China's Hunan Province, have signed a sister city and economic cooperation agreement, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, the agreement was signed by Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain and Loudi Deputy Mayor Yang Wei during a ceremony attended by Chinese Consul General Sun Yan and a high-level government delegation from Loudi.
Under the agreement, the two sides will enhance cooperation in agriculture, trade, economic development, science and technology, education, culture, tourism and other areas of mutual interest.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain congratulated both sides on the agreement and highlighted investment opportunities available to Chinese companies in Punjab, particularly within the province's Special Economic Zones.
He said the Punjab government had created a business-friendly environment in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to attract domestic and foreign investment.
The provincial minister welcomed the visiting Chinese delegation, describing its visit to Punjab as a significant step towards strengthening economic cooperation between Gujrat and Loudi.
Chinese Consul General Sun Yan noted that Pakistan and China had completed 75 years of diplomatic relations, saying the two countries continued to enjoy a strong partnership built on mutual trust, friendship and economic cooperation.
He expressed confidence that the sister city agreement between Gujrat and Loudi would serve as an important milestone in promoting deeper bilateral cooperation and said the Chinese delegation was pleased to witness what he described as a historic occasion.
Reporter: Abu Bakar Sheikh