ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and China have agreed to deepen economic and security cooperation for further consolidation of all-weather friendship between the two countries.
The understanding came at delegation level talks between the two sides in Islamabad on Thursday at which the prime minister’s adviser on national and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz and the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi represented their countries.
The talks focused on cooperation in diverse fields including political, strategic and economic. The two sides also discussed the regional situation and the need for strategic balance in South Asia.
The two countries agreed to step up their counter terrorism cooperation in order to ensure safety of their peoples.
Chinese President to visit Islamabad at an early date this year
Later addressing a joint news conference, the Chinese foreign minister informed that the Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Islamabad at an early date this year.
Wang Yi expressed the confidence that the visit will be historic and further enhance relations between the two countries which share common destiny.
The Chinese foreign minister termed Pakistan-China economic corridor project as a flagship strategic cooperation project. He said that progress on this important project will be seen soon this year.
“We are doing our best that the peoples of two countries see the tangible benefits of this project,” Yi said.
The minister said that the corridor project is targeted at the whole of Pakistan and its social and economic benefits will reach all parts of the country.
Yi further said that the two sides have agreed to enhance people to people contacts and cultural exchanges. He said that both the countries are the true friends who have always stood by each other in difficult times and will continue to do so in future.
Moreover, Yi said that Pakistan has a pivotal role in resolving the Afghan issue and appreciated Pakistan’s seriousness in resolution of Afghan issue.
The Chinese foreign minister said that his country will support Afghan government in its efforts for reconciliation with different groups for peace and stability in the region.
Relations with China are cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy: Aziz
In his remarks, Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan’s relations with China are the cornerstone of our foreign policy.
The adviser said that both the countries are convinced of the dividends of economic cooperation. He said that both sides are fully committed to add greater depth to the all-weather, friendly and cooperation relations.
Sartaj Aziz also informed the Chinese foreign minister that Pakistan wants peaceful relations with all neighbors including India.
“We also have agreed to work together for promotion of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the Chinese foreign minister accompanied by an eight-member delegation arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit.
During his visit, the Chinese foreign minister will also call on President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
