Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan is eager to improve cooperation with China in space technology, satellite communication and internet services.

The Prime Minister made the comments during a meeting with delegation from the Chinese space technology company Galaxy Space, led by President Xu Ming.

The prime minister described China as a “highly trusted friend” and “strategic partner”, adding that Pakistan places great emphasis on the growth of its space and telecommunications sectors.

The Chinese delegation expressed a strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s space industry and pursuing joint ventures with the country’s aerospace agency Suparco as well as local telecommunications companies.

They also had productive discussions with officials from the Pakistan Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

Federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema and Shaza Fatima Khawaja participated with adviser to Prime Minister Dr. Tauqir Shah at the meeting.

Last year, Pakistan launched its first lunareatellite in collaboration with China. Icube-Q Cubesat, developed by the Institute of Space Technology (IST) with support from Suparco and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, entered Lunar Orbit via China’s Chang’e-6 mission.

7 kg satellite transported cameras and sensors for imaging and dybrum communication.