ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Pakistan on Saturday for a two-day visit as part of efforts to bring lasting peace in Afghanistan, and defuse tension between Islamabad and Kabul.
Upon his arrival, the Chinese foreign minister was warmly received by the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Punjab Finance Minister, Chief Secretary Punjab and other high officials were also present at the Noor Khan airbase to welcome the Chinese foreign minister and his delegation.
“It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your visit to Pakistan will further strengthen Pak-China friendship”, said the Chief Minister while talking to Chinese guests.
The Punjab Chief Minister will also a dinner in the honor of the Chinese foreign minister tonight in Islamabad.
During his visit, the Chinese foreign minister will hold talks with Pakistani leadership to discuss matters pertaining to peace and stability in Afghanistan.
In addition, besides discussing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, the two sides will also discuss the regional situation.
Wang Yi is likely to meet the Chief of Army staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
His visit is being undertaken when the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are tense as both the Countries continue to blame each other for cross border attacks.
“China is an important partner in efforts to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said on June 22 at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad.
Zakaria said that both China and Pakistan are working closely under the initiatives like Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG), Heart of Asia Istanbul process etc. which are aimed at bringing lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“Besides Afghanistan in the context of regional cooperation for security and development, both sides will also review state of bilateral relations,” the Spokesperson said in reference to the Chinese foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan.
Prior to his Pakistan’s visit, the Chinese foreign minister also visited Kabul where he met his Afghan Counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani today.
