ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Thursday held consultations on a wide range of issues including bilateral ties, regional security situation, deepening co-operation in the wake of Covid-19, the CPEC, and further solidifying bilateral economic cooperation.
The Foreign Office said in a statement that Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood held second round of Bilateral Political Consultations with Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui via video-link.
During the consultations, a wide range of issues were discussed including Pakistan-China bilateral ties, regional security situation, deepening co-operation in wake of the COVID-19, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and further solidifying bilateral economic cooperation.
The foreign secretary emphasized that Pakistan and China were "All-Weather Strategic Co-operative Partners" and were committed to promoting peace, development, and stability in the region based on the principles of respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, win-win cooperation, and shared development.
The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed that Pakistan remained firmly committed to "One-China policy" and fully supported China on its issues of core national interest including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang. Supporting "One Country Two Systems", Pakistan reiterated that affairs of Hong Kong were China's internal matter.
The Foreign Secretary underscored that Pakistan was grateful to the government and the people of China for extending solidarity and material support in the wake of spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan.
He lauded China's efforts in controlling and containing the COVID-19 through rigorous and timely measures. He briefed that fatality rate and new cases of COVID-19 in Pakistan were declining due to the government's policy of smart lockdowns and implementation of the SOPs.
It was underlined that Pakistan was taking requisite steps to start trials of COVID-19 vaccine in Pakistan with China's co-operation and expertise, and hoped that vaccine will be soon made available as a "global public good."
Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to take relevant measures to support economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 and to deepen bilateral co-operation in the health sector.
The Foreign Secretary emphasized that the CPEC, a flagship project of the BRI, was a transformational project contributing positively to national development and regional growth.
The CPEC had entered second phase and mega projects such as Azad Pattan and Kohala Energy projects would play a major role in deepening economic and commercial ties between Pakistan and China, and solidify Pakistan's economic development.
The Foreign Secretary, Sohail Mahmood, underscored that regional security situation was perilous, and underlined that India's belligerent posture and aggressive actions were imperiling peace in the region.
Apart from committing egregious violations of human rights in the IOJ&K, India was seeking to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory, which was in violation of international law including the 4th Geneva Convention.
The foreign secretary also briefed about the intensified ceasefire violations by India across the LOC and targeted killing of civilians. He underlined the importance of peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council resolutions.
The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan's consistent support and positive contribution to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. He stressed that all Afghan sides should honour their respective commitments and also seize this historic opportunity to work out an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan.
The foreign secretary expressed satisfaction over the close cooperation between Pakistan and China at multilateral fora and emphasized to further deepen co-operation for regional peace and security.
The foreign secretary reiterated Pakistan's resolve to continue to deepen and widen communication and exchanges at all levels to build the China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020