Relations with Pakistan high on China''s agenda: Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said relations with Pakistan were "very high on China''s agenda" as it wanted close ties between the two countries. The Chinese President stated this in a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. President Xi said China wanted to maintain close ties with Pakistan and was looking forward to President Mamnoon Hussain''s upcoming visit to China.
He invited Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the next SCO meeting, taking place in Beijing this year. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif thanked President Xi for the support China had extended to Pakistan in its effort to become a full member of the SCO. He said the visit of President Xi and Chinese First Lady, to Pakistan had won the hearts and minds of the Pakistani people. He said friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan''s foreign policy. He appreciated President Xi''s personal commitment for the materialization of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).