Terror fight: China says world can’t shut eyes to Pakistan’s efforts
Asif thanks Chinese FM for unflinching support
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif (L) at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on September 8, 2017 in Beijing, China. PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING:
China on Friday defended Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, following President Donald Trump’s accusation that Islamabad harbours militants attacking US and Afghan troops.
The government and the people of Pakistan have made huge sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and such efforts and sacrifices are there for everyone to see,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
Terming Pakistan an important country in the fight against global terrorism, he acknowledged unprecedented sacrifices rendered by Pakistan. “The international community should recognise that... and give Pakistan the full credit it deserves,” Wang told a press briefing, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif at the State Guest House in Beijing.
China recognises Pakistan’s efforts in countering terrorism and fully supports our Iron Brother in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Wang said.
Corps commanders discuss internal, external security situation
In a major speech outlining US policy on Afghanistan last month, Trump slammed Pakistan for offering safe havens to ‘agents of chaos’ and suggested the bilateral relations would be adjusted immediately. He offered few details. Following Trump’s remarks, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also cautioned that Pakistan could lose its status as a major US ally and see its US military aid suspended.
Pakistan has repeatedly denied claims of being soft on militancy, accusing the United States of ignoring the thousands who have been killed in Pakistan and the billions spent fighting extremists.
The Chinese foreign minister said: “Sino-Pakistan all-weather relationship is strong and unbreakable,” and added: “Beijing will continue to play its role for the progress and development of Pakistan.”
About Afghanistan, Wang said: “Peace and stability in the country is in the interests of both China and Pakistan,” adding: “China wants improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Asif thanked his Chinese counterpart for acknowledging Pakistan’s sacrifices and providing an unflinching support in the war against terrorism. “It is Pakistan’s firm view that maintaining regional security is a ‘critical’ priority and focus should remain on peaceful solutions,” he said.
Trump’s plan prompts ‘paradigm shift’ in foreign policy
The foreign minister also thanked Beijing for its role in hosting a trilateral Afghanistan-China-Pakistan foreign ministers’ forum, which is expected to take place before the end of this year. He affirmed Pakistan’s support for the China-Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC) -- a flagship project of One Belt One Road Initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations based on history, mutual trust, equality, harmony, non-interference and common agenda of socioeconomic development,” he said. Pakistan, he added, deeply values China’s support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity and asserted Pakistan’s support for One China policy and China’s interests in Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and South China Sea.
On Afghanistan, the foreign minister said: “There is no military solution to the Afghan problem and peace and stability can be brought in the country through a political solution.” He said that Pakistan has been making efforts to improve relations with Afghanistan and added before coming to Beijing, he had a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart.
This is the first high-level contact between the two neighbours after the announcement of the US President Donald Trump’s revised policy towards Afghanistan,” Asif said. He also vowed to provide full security to the CPEC, warning, strict action would be taken against any threat to the project. Later the foreign minister left for home.
China on Friday defended Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts, following President Donald Trump’s accusation that Islamabad harbours militants attacking US and Afghan troops.
The government and the people of Pakistan have made huge sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and such efforts and sacrifices are there for everyone to see,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
Terming Pakistan an important country in the fight against global terrorism, he acknowledged unprecedented sacrifices rendered by Pakistan. “The international community should recognise that... and give Pakistan the full credit it deserves,” Wang told a press briefing, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif at the State Guest House in Beijing.
China recognises Pakistan’s efforts in countering terrorism and fully supports our Iron Brother in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Wang said.
Corps commanders discuss internal, external security situation
In a major speech outlining US policy on Afghanistan last month, Trump slammed Pakistan for offering safe havens to ‘agents of chaos’ and suggested the bilateral relations would be adjusted immediately. He offered few details. Following Trump’s remarks, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also cautioned that Pakistan could lose its status as a major US ally and see its US military aid suspended.
Pakistan has repeatedly denied claims of being soft on militancy, accusing the United States of ignoring the thousands who have been killed in Pakistan and the billions spent fighting extremists.
The Chinese foreign minister said: “Sino-Pakistan all-weather relationship is strong and unbreakable,” and added: “Beijing will continue to play its role for the progress and development of Pakistan.”
About Afghanistan, Wang said: “Peace and stability in the country is in the interests of both China and Pakistan,” adding: “China wants improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Asif thanked his Chinese counterpart for acknowledging Pakistan’s sacrifices and providing an unflinching support in the war against terrorism. “It is Pakistan’s firm view that maintaining regional security is a ‘critical’ priority and focus should remain on peaceful solutions,” he said.
Trump’s plan prompts ‘paradigm shift’ in foreign policy
The foreign minister also thanked Beijing for its role in hosting a trilateral Afghanistan-China-Pakistan foreign ministers’ forum, which is expected to take place before the end of this year. He affirmed Pakistan’s support for the China-Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC) -- a flagship project of One Belt One Road Initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations based on history, mutual trust, equality, harmony, non-interference and common agenda of socioeconomic development,” he said. Pakistan, he added, deeply values China’s support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity and asserted Pakistan’s support for One China policy and China’s interests in Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and South China Sea.
On Afghanistan, the foreign minister said: “There is no military solution to the Afghan problem and peace and stability can be brought in the country through a political solution.” He said that Pakistan has been making efforts to improve relations with Afghanistan and added before coming to Beijing, he had a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart.
This is the first high-level contact between the two neighbours after the announcement of the US President Donald Trump’s revised policy towards Afghanistan,” Asif said. He also vowed to provide full security to the CPEC, warning, strict action would be taken against any threat to the project. Later the foreign minister left for home.