Pakistan, China reaffirm resolve to strengthen ties
Pakistan and China Saturday reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthen their time-tested and All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership through continued close consultations at the leadership level, enhanced practical cooperation, and robust implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Qin Gang made the commitment during the 4th round of the foreign minister-level Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue co-chaired by them.
The Chinese foreign minister was on his first official visit to Pakistan from 5 to 6 May.
During the dialogue, the entire range of bilateral relations and cooperation, including in political, strategic, economic, defence, security, education, and cultural domains was reviewed. Regional and global issues of mutual interest were also discussed.
The foreign minister of Pakistan congratulated the Chinese leadership on the successful holding of the 'Two Sessions'. He wished China's people and the new leadership greater success in building a strong, prosperous, and modern socialist country.
He also expressed his resolve to work together with State Councilor Qin Gang to further fortify the Pakistan-China relationship. Recalling the consensus reached between the leadership of the two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Beijing in November 2022, the two sides agreed to further strengthen Pakistan-China strategic relations amidst profound regional and international changes.
The ministers expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum in high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China while reaffirming the need for convening important bilateral sectoral engagements.
The ministers underlined that Pakistan-China friendship was a historic reality and a conscious choice of the two nations. As 'All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partners', Pakistan and China enjoy complete mutual trust, and their iron-clad friendship enjoys complete consensus in both countries.
Both sides agreed on continuing their enduring support on issues concerning each other's core national interests. Reaffirming Pakistan's special place in China's neighbourhood diplomacy, the Chinese side reiterated its firm support for Pakistan's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as its unity, stability, and economic prosperity.
The Pakistani side reiterated its commitment to the "One China" policy as well as its firm support to China on all core issues of its national interest, including Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea.
Welcoming the completion of a decade of CPEC in 2023, the two sides hailed CPEC as a shining example of Belt and Road cooperation which has accelerated socio-economic development, job creation, and improvement of people's livelihoods in Pakistan.
Reaffirming their commitment to the high-quality development of CPEC, both sides noted with satisfaction the steady progress of CPEC projects. The two sides reiterated the key significance of the ML-1 project under the CPEC framework and agreed to advance its earliest implementation.
They also agreed to actively advance the Karachi Circular Railway alongside key areas of cooperation including agriculture, science and technology, IT, and renewable energy.
The two sides reviewed the progress of various projects in Gwadar, including the Friendship Hospital and New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA). Both sides reiterated their resolve to make Gwadar a high-quality port and a hub for regional trade and connectivity.
Acknowledging industrialisation as highly conducive to long-term sustainable economic growth and development, they also agreed to work together in the guidance of the Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation to actively advance industrial cooperation.
Both sides reiterated that CPEC is an open and inclusive platform for win-win cooperation and invited third parties to maximize benefits from CPEC. The Pakistani side expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for its economic and financial support and its generous assistance package for post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation.
The two sides reiterated their firm resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Acknowledging the endeavours and sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism, the Chinese side appreciated the measures taken by Pakistan to ensure enhanced security of Chinese projects, personnel, and institutions in Pakistan, as well as the steps taken to apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators targeting Chinese nationals in Dasu, Karachi and other attacks.
The two sides agreed to further build on the cooperation in security and counter-terrorism domains. Reviewing their cooperation on regional and international issues at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the two sides agreed to further deepen their coordination and cooperation to safeguard mutual interests.
The two sides underscored the need for the international community to provide continued assistance and support to Afghanistan, including through unfreezing of Afghanistan's overseas financial assets. The two sides agreed to continue their humanitarian and economic assistance for the Afghan people and enhance development cooperation in Afghanistan, including through the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan.