ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Saturday reaffirmed their resolve to further enhance their time-tested and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership via continued close consultations at the leadership level, enhanced cooperation, and robust implementation of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Pakistan and China on CPEC
Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and foreign minister of China Qin Gang made this commitment during the 4th round of the Foreign Minister level Pak-China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by them. The Chinese FM was on his first official trip to Pakistan from 5 to 6 May.
During the talks, the entire range of bilateral ties and cooperation, including in strategic, political, economic, defense, education, security, and cultural domains was also discussed. Regional and global matters of mutual interest were also discussed during the talks.
Bilawal expressed his resolve to work together with State Councilor Qin Gang to further enhance the Pakistan-China ties. Recalling the consensus reached between the leadership of the two nations during the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister to Beijing in November 2022, the two countries agreed to further strengthen Pak-China strategic ties amidst profound regional and global changes. They expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum in high-level exchanges between Islamabad and Beijing while reaffirming the need for convening significant bilateral sectoral engagements.
Both sides also agreed on continuing their enduring support on matters concerning each other’s core national interests. Chinese FM reiterated its firm support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence as well as its unity, stability, and economic progress and prosperity, APP reported. The Pakistani FM reiterated its country’s commitment to the “One China” policy as well as its firm support to China on all core matters of its national interest, including Xinjiang, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet, and the South China Sea.
Welcoming the completion of ten years of CPEC in 2023, the two sides also hailed CPEC as an example of Belt and Road cooperation which has accelerated socio-economic progress, development, job creation and improvement of people’s livelihoods in the South Asian country. According to APP, both sides noted with satisfaction the steady progress of CPEC projects. The two sides also reiterated that CPEC is an open platform for win-win cooperation and invited third parties to maximize benefits from it.
🔊: PR NO. 8️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
4th round of Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 6, 2023
Islamabad-Beijing
Pakistan and China reiterated their firm resolve to counter-terrorism in all its shape, forms and manifestations. Acknowledging the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against t extremism and terrorism, the Chinese side lauded the measures taken by Islamabad to ensure enhanced security of Chinese projects, officials and institutions in Pakistan, as well as the measures are taken to apprehend and bring to justice the attackers targeting Chinese citizens in Dasu, and Karachi. The two sides also agreed to further build on the cooperation in counter-terrorism and security domains.
Reviewing their cooperation on regional and global issues at multilateral forums such as SCO and the UN, the two sides agreed to further deepen their cooperation and coordination to safeguard mutual interests
Islamabad supports the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative put forward by Beijing. Pakistan and China underlined the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South Asian region and the need for resolution of all outstanding issues. APP reported that the Pakistani side also briefed the Chinese FM on the latest developments of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Beijing reiterated that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, and UNSC resolutions. The two sides opposed any unilateral actions that further complicate the already volatile situation.
Stability and peace in Afghanistan
Stressing that stability and peace in Afghanistan are vital for socio-economic development, prosperity and connectivity in the region, Pakistan and China called on all stakeholders to work together for a stable, peaceful, prosperous and united Afghanistan, which would combat terrorism and live in harmony with its neighbours.
APP reported that Pakistan and China also underscored the need for the world to provide continued help and support to Afghanistan. Pakistan and China also agreed to continue their humanitarian and economic aid for the people of Afghanistan and also enhance development cooperation in Afghanistan, including through the extension of China Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan. _APP
