Pakistan and China have reiterated support to each other’s core interests and expressed their intention to maintain close coordination. Both the countries have also expressed satisfaction on the bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, culture, people to people contacts, defence and counter-terrorism.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain held meeting on the sidelines of the Head of State Council Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
According to Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Xi Jinping stressed that at present, China-Pakistan relations enjoy vigorous development with frequent high-level contacts, in-depth advancement of practical cooperation and good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs between the two countries.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two sides should take this as an opportunity to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and transform friendship between the two countries into more impetus for practical cooperation.
Both countries should deepen practical cooperation, focus on advancing the construction of China-Pakistan economic corridor, accelerate the construction of transportation infrastructure and progress of energy projects, and steadily promote supporting civil projects of the corridor.
The two sides should also deepen cooperation in economy and trade, security and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and continuously enrich the connotation of China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.
Xi Jinping pointed out that Pakistan will officially sign the Memorandum of Obligation to Join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the SCO Summit this year. It is a key step in the process of Pakistan to become an official member of the SCO. China looks forward to carrying out in-depth cooperation with Pakistan within the SCO framework.
Mamnoon Hussain expressed that Pakistan-China friendship wins support among the Pakistani people. Both countries always support each other on issues concerning each others’ core interests and major concerns. Pakistan firmly supports China’s principles and stance on the Taiwan issue, Tibet-related issues, the South China Sea issue and other issues.
Pakistan looks forward to continuously conducting close cooperation with China in economic development, especially in the construction of China-Pakistan economic corridor, infrastructure, counter-terrorism, security and other areas as well as in the UN, the SCO and other multilateral affairs. Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others attended the meeting.
Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard said that Both the Presidents discussed a broad range of issues of mutual interest. President Mamnoon Hussain stated that the friendship between the two countries is time tested and based on complete mutual trust, understanding and respect. The two countries enjoyed excellent cooperation and convergence of views on regional and global issues. President thanked China for its support to Pakistan for becoming full member of SCO.
The two leaders also discussed the subject of Pakistan’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). President Mamnoon Hussain stated that Pakistan had made notable efforts over the years to strengthen its export controls, command and control and nuclear safety and security.
He that Pakistan was committed to the timely realization of all the projects under CPEC. He emphasized that CPEC would not only benefit Pakistan and China but would be a game changer for the entire region.
President Xi Jinping said that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and both nations enjoy an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. He expressed China’s complete support to Pakistan’s national security and territorial integrity. President Xi stated that CPEC was a flagship project of the One Belt One Road Initiative and China was committed to its successful completion.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress of the CPEC related projects. They appreciated the various activities being carried out to celebrate 2016 as the 65thAnniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. They also expressed satisfaction on the bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, culture, people to people contacts, defence and counter-terrorism.
The two leaders also discussed the subject of Pakistan’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). President Mamnoon Hussain stated that Pakistan had made notable efforts over the years to strengthen its export controls, command and control and nuclear safety and security. The President also said that any exception given for NSG membership could disturb strategic stability in South Asia.
Mélange Report.