Despite continuous drastic changes on global economic and strategic canvas, deep rooted friendship between Pakistan and China is strengthening with the passage each day. Both the countries are getting closer and closer despite hostile propaganda and changing geopolitical regional and international situation. Both time tested allies are cementing their bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors without paying heed to negative and malicious propagation by some regional and international players.
Both the countries held China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue in Beijing and reaffirmed commitment to build closer community of Shared Future in new Era. Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their time-tested and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and agreed to maintain regular two-way high-level political and official exchanges. The Dialogue was co-chaired by State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi for Pakistan.
The two sides undertook in-depth discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations, regional and international issues. They also expressed commitment to translate the vision of the leadership to build a closer China-Pakistan community of Shared Future in the new Era. They underlined that state sovereignty and territorial integrity are cardinal principles of UN Charter and international law.
It was noted that China and Pakistan are celebrating 2019 as the year of sister-cities exchanges. The Chinese side highly appreciated Pakistan’s commitment and efforts to counter terrorism.
The two Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Afghanistan and reiterated support for Afghan-owned Afghan-led inclusive peace process.
Both the sides vowed to protect the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor from all kinds of threats, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the dialogue, the two sides undertook in-depth discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations, including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, trade, investment and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and regional and international issue. The two foreign ministers reaffirmed the commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and agreed to ensure the smooth implementation of CPEC projects, in particular, its special economic zones. While rejecting the negative propaganda against CPEC, they expressed a strong resolve to safeguard CPEC from all kinds of threats.
The two counterparts reaffirmed the time-tested and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and agreed to maintain regular two-way high-level political and official exchanges. According to the handout, the two sides also expressed commitment to translate the vision of the leadership to build a closer China-Pakistan community of [a] shared future in the new era. The two foreign ministers, on behalf of their states, reaffirmed support for one another on all core issues of national interest, highlighting the importance of state sovereignty and territorial integrity which are the cardinal principles of UN Charter and international law.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed on the need for de-escalation of tensions in South Asia and underlined the necessity to resolve all outstanding disputes through dialogue and peaceful means. It was also agreed upon to strengthen people-to-people contacts, cultural cooperation and tourism, the statement noted adding that China and Pakistan are celebrating 2019 as the year of sister-cities exchanges. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation against terrorism by strengthening communication and coordination in relevant fields. China highly appreciated Pakistan’s commitment and efforts towards combatting terrorism. Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed gratitude, in return, for China’s continued support in Pakistan’s efforts.
The two ministers also discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and expressed support for the ongoing efforts for peace and reconciliation in the region. Both sides reiterated support for Afghan-owned Afghan-led inclusive peace process and called on all stakeholders in Afghanistan to become part of an intra-Afghan dialogue. They also urged all sides to show flexibility to find a durable solution to the Afghan conflict. The two sides agreed to continue their mutual collaboration at the regional multilateral and international forums. They expressed their support for consensus-based reform of the United Nations so that it responds to the interests and concerns of all Member States.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who also met Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, conveyed the government’s resolve towards ensuring the smooth implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. During the meeting, Qureshi conveyed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s felicitations to the Chinese vice president and conveyed the premier’s eagerness to attend the second Belt and Road Forum in China next month. Vice President Qishan, in turn, expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of bilateral ties between the two countries, a Foreign Office press release stated.
The foreign minister also briefed the vice president on recent developments in the region and thanked China for playing an important role in the easing of tensions between Pakistan and India. Qureshi and Qishan also discussed progress on CPEC, with both sides agreeing that the smooth implementation of the corridor will greatly contribute to socio-economic development of Pakistan.
They expressed commitment to translate the vision of the leadership to build a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era. The two sides reaffirmed support to each other on all core issues of their national interest. They underlined that state sovereignty and territorial integrity are the cardinal principles of UN Charter and the international law.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for de-escalation of tensions in South Asia and underlined the need for dialogue and peaceful means to resolve all outstanding disputes. The two sides also agreed to further intensify cooperation with regular meetings of all bilateral mechanisms to take forward practical cooperation in respective fields.
They agreed to strengthen people-to-people contacts, cultural cooperation and tourism. It was noted that China and Pakistan are celebrating 2019 as the year of sister-cities exchanges. The two foreign ministers reaffirmed the commitment to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and agreed to continue the smooth implementation of CPEC projects, especially its Special Economic Zones. While rejecting the negative propaganda against CPEC, they expressed a strong resolve to safeguard the initiative from all kinds of threats. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation against terrorism by strengthening communication and coordination in relevant fields. The Chinese side highly appreciated Pakistan’s commitment and efforts to counter terrorism.
The two foreign ministers discussed the situation in Afghanistan and expressed support for the ongoing efforts for peace and reconciliation. Both sides reiterated support for Afghan-owned and Afghan-led inclusive peace process and called on all stakeholders in Afghanistan to become part of an intra-Afghan dialogue.
They also urged all sides to show flexibility to find a durable solution to the Afghan conflict. The two sides agreed to continue their mutual collaboration at the regional multilateral and international forums. They expressed their support for consensus-based reform of the United Nations so that it responds to the interests and concerns of all member states. Separately, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and briefed him on the progress in development of CPEC. Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan was looking forward to visit them during the next month to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reached Beijing on a three-day visit to attend the first Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue. He was received at Beijing airport by the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, Pakistan’s ambassador to China Masood Khalid, and senior officials of the embassy.
Foreign Ministry stated that during Qureshi’s visit, both sides would hold comprehensive discussions on a range of bilateral relations, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both sides will also discuss the regional situation and cooperation at multilateral fora. The foreign minister addressed Political Parties’ Forum on CPEC and participates in the ruling party’s dialogue between the PTI and the Communist Party of China (CPC). He will also call on top Chinese leadership.
Later, while addressing Chinese scholars, Qureshi said that the strong friendship between Pakistan and China was based on strategic cooperation, adding that the start of the second CPEC phase will usher a new era of socio-economic development in this country. Stating that Pakistan wants peace in the region and good relations with all its neighbours in South Asia, including India, he reiterated that Islamabad wants to resolve issues with Delhi through dialogue.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan and China’s strong friendship is based on strategic cooperation. He was speaking at China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS) in Beijing after arriving there for a three-day trip to attend the first Pakistan-China foreign ministers strategic dialogue. Qureshi said that the start of the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will initiate a new era of socio-economic development in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan wants peace in the region and desires good relations with all its neighbours in South Asia, including India. He reiterated that Pakistan wants to resolve all its issues with India through dialogue.
Prior to Strategic Dialogue, Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the strategic dialogue will be co-chaired by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Giving the details in a routine presser, the spokesperson said the two sides will exchange views on China-Pakistan relations and international and regional issues of common concern. He pointed out that India-Pakistan relations and regional situation recently remained very tense and hoped that the two sides will touch this issue as well in the dialogue.
What I want to say here is that as a friendly neighbour of India and Pakistan, China actively promotes peace and promotes talks and has played a constructive role in easing tensions in future, he said. The Chinese side will continue to encourage India and Pakistan to move in the same direction, resolve differences through dialogue and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, he added.
While commenting on the first meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to discuss Kartarpur corridor, he welcomed the latest interaction between the two countries and hoped that the progress will help further normalize India-Pakistan relations and the regional situation. “India and Pakistan are neighbours who cannot geographically change the place. It is in fundamental interest of both the sides that they live in harmony with each other … this is also a common expectation of the international community, he added.
The spokesperson also hoped that the two sides will continue to demonstrate goodwill and move in the right direction to resolve differences through dialogue, improve relations and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. Responding to a question, he said he cannot predict which specific issues will be discussed in the strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of China and Pakistan. “But as I said earlier, the dialogue will definitely involve China-Pakistan bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, he added.
To a question about the issue of listing of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Azhar Masood, he said the position of the Chinese side is already very clear and I will not repeat it here. He emphasized that China will continue to handle this matter in a constructive and responsible manner and maintain close communication with all the relevant parties, including India and Pakistan.
Later Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed satisfaction over the deliberations in the first Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and China. According to details, Shah Mehmood called on Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office of the Communist Party of China Yang Jiechi in Beijing. During his meeting with the Chinese leader, Qureshi reflected on completing convergence of views on issues of mutual interest.
Moreover, FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project saying that the mega project is contributing to the country’s economic development. Yang Jiechi said that Pakistan-China relationship was time-tested and an example in inter-state relations. He added that CPEC has injected a fresh impetus to bilateral economic cooperation.
