On the heels of heightened tension between Pakistan and India, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday assured Prime Minister Imran Khan that the China-Pakistan relationship was "rock-solid and unbreakable" and reiterated China's opposition to any "unilateral action as well as the measures, by India, that could further complicate the situation."
According to an official statement from Prime Minister's Office following a meeting between the PM and Chinese foreign minister, who is also China's State Councilor, the Chinese dignitary, "conveying best wishes of President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to the Prime Minister, stated that the China-Pakistan relationship was rock-solid and unbreakable."
It quoted the PM as having said during the meeting that "All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries is deeply rooted in mutual trust and respect and is an anchor of peace and stability in the region and beyond."
Recalling the depth and breadth of Pakistan-China ties, the PM "underscored that friendship with China is the corner stone of Pakistan's foreign policy," the statement added.
Moreover, the PM briefed the Chinese side on the evolving situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) following India's unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, the press release said. He stressed that the ongoing curfew for 35 days, the continued lockdown and communications blockade, and the massive human rights violations had created a dire humanitarian situation in IOK which needed to be urgently addressed, it added. The PM underscored that the curfew and other restrictions needed to be immediately lifted.
Khan, according to PM Office, also stressed that, in order to deepen strategic co-operation, Pakistan and China should continue their close coordination and consultation to ensure that peace and stability in the region is maintained.
He highlighted that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a project of great national significance that contributes immensely to the revitalization of Pakistan's economy. The PM reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the timely completion of CPEC projects and highlighted the importance of CPEC Authority for speedy execution of CPEC projects. Prime Minister hoped that, as CPEC's benefits expanded, more Chinese companies will invest in Pakistan and help support Pakistan's process of industrialization as well its policies of greater agricultural productivity and innovation.
Both leaders agreed that more high-level exchanges should continue to take place between the two countries to further promote bilateral ties as well as the shared goals of economic development, peace, and security across the region, the PM Office said.
Meanwhile, a joint statement issued after the Chinese foreign minister's two-day visit (September 7-8) to Pakistan said, the Chinese side reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and national dignity, in choosing its development path in light of its national conditions, in working for a better external security environment, and in playing a more constructive role in regional and international issues.
During the visit, the Chinese foreign minister called on President Arif Alvi, PM Khan, held talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and met with Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
During the meetings, both sides had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest, the joint statement said.
"Both sides reiterated that the time-tested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between China and Pakistan is an anchor of peace and stability in the region and beyond. This partnership remains unaffected by any adverse regional and international development and continues to move from strength to strength. Both sides reaffirmed that China-Pakistan relationship is a priority in their foreign policies, and committed to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era," it added.
On IOK, the joint statement said, the two sides further exchanged views on the situation in Jammu & Kashmir. "The Pakistani side briefed the Chinese side on the situation, including its concerns, position, and urgent humanitarian issues. The Chinese side responded that it was paying close attention to the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation."
On CPEC, the joint presser said, both sides believed that the CPEC, as a pioneering project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has entered a new phase of high-quality development. The two sides agreed to continue to "firmly push forward the construction of CPEC, complete its on-going projects in a timely manner, and realize its full potential by focusing on socio-economic development, job creation and better livelihood and accelerating cooperation in industrial parks and agriculture."
In addition, both sides, as per the joint press release, agreed to maintain frequent mutual visits and meetings at the leadership level and continue to hold bilateral meetings between their leaders on multilateral occasions. "China and Pakistan have enjoyed mutual understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core interests. They reiterated the resolve to implement consensus reached by the leadership of both countries to enhance strategic mutual trust and improve all-round cooperation so as to jointly promote regional peace, stability and prosperity."
Pakistan and China also agreed to strengthen cooperation on the Afghanistan issue and support the 'Afghan-led, Afghan-owned' peace and reconciliation process. "Both sides welcomed the positive progress achieved in the negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the US, and called on all Afghan political stakeholders, including the Afghan Taliban, to start intra-Afghan negotiations to form a future political structure acceptable to all parties and achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan at an early date," reads the joint presser.
Pakistan and China expressed satisfaction over the close cooperation between the two countries at multilateral fora and resolved to deepen strategic coordination and consultation. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and support for multilateralism, free trade and win-win cooperation. Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation on regional and international affairs. The two sides underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia is in the common interest of all parties. Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and equality, the joint statement said.
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