‘IRON BROTHERS’
news desk
ISLAMABAD
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with his Chinese counterpart on Friday to hold the second round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in the Chinese province of Hainan.
Qureshi, who is accompanied on the two-day official visit by senior officials, led the Pakistani delegation in the strategic dialogue while the Chinese side was led by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the coronavirus pandemic, bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, according to a joint press release issued after the dialogue.
They also “reached consensus to collectively take measures to safeguard their common interests and promote peace, prosperity, and development in the region”, the statement said.
While reiterating that the ‘China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ is beneficial to international and regional peace and stability, the two sides showed commitment for enhancing mutual strategic trust, strengthening cooperation, maintaining the momentum of high-level exchanges, further advancing the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting bilateral relationship to a higher level, and delivering greater benefits to both countries and the two peoples.
According to the press release, the Chinese side reiterated that Pakistan and China are “iron brothers” and Pakistan remains China’s “staunchest partner” in the region and that Beijing firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
The Pakistani side, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support to China on affairs concerning China’s core interests and issues of major concern “such as those related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong”.
Both sides underscored that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has entered a “new phase of high-quality development” and will continue to play an important role in supporting Pakistan to overcome the impact of Covid-19 and achieve greater development.
They vowed to continue to firmly advance the construction of CPEC, ensure in-time completion of under-construction projects and focus on economic and social development.
The Foreign Office quoted Qureshi as saying that the on-time completion of projects planned under CPEC Phase II “is one of our top priorities”.
He said the energy projects worth Rs13 billion agreed between China and Pakistan will help further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
