China will continue its support to Pakistan in regional and international affairs and broaden its mutual contacts in the socio-economic sector. President of Former Diplomats of Chin, Cai Fengbai stated this during a meeting held here on Tuesday with the visiting delegation of retired Pakistani envoys.
The delegation led by Akram Zaki includes former ambassadors, Ghayoor Ahmed, Afzaal Akbar Khan, Anwar Kamal, Khalid Saleem, Sultan Hayat Khan and Rashid Ahmed.
Cai Fengbai said the Chinese government appreciates and supports Pakistan's efforts to peacefully settle all the problems with its neighbouring countries and all efforts to safeguard its state sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
Pakistan and China have identical views on major world issues. "We have a shared approach and values and are committed to peace in the region and the world", he added.
The two sides hoped that the two countries would lay special emphasis on strengthening their economic partnership. They emphasised that the private sector should be actively involved in implementing the agreements, inked by the two sides in the recent years.
The delegation also had a meeting with Vice Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, Wang Yiangfan. Pakistan's former envoy to China, Zaki told APP in an interview that there was a strong desire on both sides to capitalise their excellent diplomatic ties for the economic wellbeing of their people.
He hoped that two Governments would continue to encourage and support the mutually-complementary co-operation by the private sectors with a view to achieving a win-win result and promoting sustained and long-term expansion of their economic ties.
China fully realised Pakistan's geo-strategic importance in the region and considered it a favourable factor carry forward the existing Sino-Pak traditional alliance to confront with new challenges, particularly in the security field.
During its weeklong stay in China, the delegation will also visit Chinese famous cities Xian and Urumqi.