Bilawal’s visit to China will ‘boost ties’

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.

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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.