Qureshi in China for enhancing bilateral cooperation

Beijing says talks will strengthen strategic mutual trust, coordination on international, regional affairs

ISLAMABAD/BEIJING:

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived in China on Thursday on a two-day official visit during which he would lead the Pakistani delegation in the second round of ‘Pak-China Strategic Dialogue’ and hold bilateral meetings with the Chinese leadership.

On arrival at the Hainan airport, Qureshi was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador Moinul Haq, senior officials of the Chinese foreign ministry and officials stationed at the Pakistani embassy.

Senior foreign ministry officials were also accompanying the foreign minister.

Earlier in a video message, Qureshi said that he was leaving on “a very important visit” to China.

“I am hopeful that my meeting with Foreign Minster Wang Yi will prove beneficial for both countries,” the foreign minister added.

Qureshi will lead Pakistan’s delegation in the second round of ‘Pak-China Strategic Dialogue’. The Chinese delegation would be led by the Chinese foreign minister.

The talks would focus on various areas, including Covid pandemic, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other issues.

The Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday said that Qureshi and China’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi would co-host the dialogue in Hainan, aimed at helping the two countries strengthen strategic mutual trust coordination on international, regional affairs.

“The strategic dialogue is highly relevant and it will help the two countries enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation and strengthen close coordination on international, regional affairs,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said.

Foreign Minister Qureshi and Foreign Minister Yi will co-host the dialogue scheduled to be held in Hainan, China on August 20 and 21, he announced during his regular briefing held here.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a regular briefing in Beijing that the dialogue mechanism was a platform for the two sides to coordinate exchanges and cooperation in various fields and make policy suggestions on the development of bilateral ties.

The first dialogue was held in Beijing last year on March 19 and the first dialogue led to consensus on many issues and played an important role in the development of bilateral relations, the spokesperson added.

Lijian remarked that considering the current international situation as well as the profound impact brought by Covid-19, China and Pakistan as comprehensive strategic partners should enhance cooperation to meet these challenges and to deliver benefit to the people.

“So, this time the strategic dialogue is highly relevant,” the spokesperson said. “We believe that this dialogue will help enhance our strategic mutual trust, deepen our practical cooperation and strengthen our close coordination on international and regional affairs.”

(With input from APP)