Bilawal’s visit to China will ‘boost ties’

Foreign Office says talks to focus on trade relations


Kamran Yousaf May 21, 2022
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Photo: FILE

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ISLAMABAD:

In a renewed push by the coalition government to deepen cooperation with Beijing which is deemed as pivotal for Pakistan given the current economic situation, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is set to undertake his maiden trip to China on Saturday (today).

At the special invitation of State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the foreign minister will visit China from May 21-22, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Friday.

This would be Bilawal’s first bilateral visit abroad since assuming the office of the foreign minister last month. Although he already had visited Saudi Arabia and the United States, those trips were not bilateral. The minister of state for foreign affairs and senior ministry officials will be part of the foreign minister’s delegation.

During the visit, Bilawal will hold extensive consultations with State Councillor Yi.

The two foreign ministers will review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on stronger trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Read More: FM Bilawal, Turkish counterpart vow to boost economic ties

Fast-tracked progress on the transformational ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative, will also be part of the discussion. The two sides will also have wide-ranging exchange of views on major regional and international issues.

The foreign minister’s visit will also coincide with the 71st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. State Councillor Yi had written a letter of congratulations to foreign minister Bilawal on his assumption of the office of the foreign minister.

They had previously held a virtual meeting on May 11. “The foreign minister’s visit will contribute towards further fortifying the timetested All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China, enhance and deepen CPECrelated engagement apart from helping in identifying new avenues for bilateral cooperation to the benefit of the two countries and peoples,” the statement said.

The coalition government is aiming at China for crucial economic assistance in view of the grave economic challenge. But China and other friendly countries want the new government to first resume the IMF programme before they come up with any assistance.

Meanwhile, Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Itikhar told a news briefing that reports about Confucious Centers being shut in Pakistan after the Karachi terrorist attack were not true. He said the classes of Chinese language continued online as Pakistan was taking all possible measures to ensure security of Chinese nationals.

On a question, the spokesperson said Bilawal defended former prime minister Imran Khan’s visit to Russia, which was a reflection of Pakistan’s efforts to maintain a balanced and objective relationship with all major powers.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that Beijing looked forward to taking Bilawal’s visit “as an opportunity to continue the traditional friendship with Pakistani and jointly build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.

COMMENTS (2)

Mastana Guru | 2 years ago | Reply All past and present Foreign Ministers of Pakistan on their visit to foregin countries do not present their financial case effectively as they insert Kashmir issue that diverts attention from financial to political. When will they learn to talk the talk that will carry some weight. Sense clearly says that each foreign visit must concentrate on one issue at a time. If they continue to visit with various statments they will not succeed. Kahsmir issue has brought failure to Pakistan. We as general public do not care about Kahsmir. Take care of Pakistan first.
test | 2 years ago | Reply I am bored of hearing the same shit over years and years again and again. I mean we are talking about improving ties friendship relations . Are these personal relations are we mad i mean ties... Why not talk straight to the point and say hey we are going to China to improve our economy to improve our trade . to improve investment to our country to improve industrial collaboration . These are things one should go and talk to them about and talk straight to the point. Let them clearly hear you what you actually want to say or what you actually want to get out the tour you are doing. Otherwise another holiday on the tax payers money and people will get nothing. But you will certainly enjoy drinks and food in that country. Whenever visit make these the priority which are economy trade investment industrial collaboration cpec and of course Kashmir . After all your sovereignty is compromised without the part of Kashmir which india has illegally occupied.
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