“We (China and Pakistan) have mutually agreed to postpone the visit and are working on new dates which would not be so far,” a senior official in the Chinese embassy told The Express Tribune.
The official also mentioned that the embassy had been busy during last few weeks in making arrangements for the visit.
Commenting on the reason behind the postponement, he said it was due to the current situation in Pakistan and expressed hope that relevant parties would work together while bearing in mind the fundamental interests of the state and the people.
“What happens here in Pakistan, is a domestic issue and China would not interfere,” he said.
The official brushed off suggestions that the two countries' relations would be affected due to a temporary postponement, saying their relationshop was beyond such things.
Despite the postponement of President Xi Jingping’s visit, which has delayed the signing ceremonies of several projects, both Pakistan and China are exploring options to keep the momentum going, the official said.
“We are trying to find out some ways that these documents are signed so that the momentum is not affected,” he said, adding that there was a long list of projects, some of which have already started while several were under discussion. The Lahore-Karachi motorway, economic corridor and power sector projects have already been discussed and finalised.
In response to a question on whether China was offering Pakistan a loan or going for investment, the official said, “We have a variety of arrangements when it comes to economic cooperation, transparent and fair, but are mutually beneficial.”
“Our cooperation goes beyond the projects,” he said, referring to both countries' collaboration on political affairs, global issues, people-to-people contact and counter-terrorism.
The explanation came in the backdrop of speculation over the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan, particularly following China’s foreign ministry’s comment denying the releas of any information regarding President Xi Jingping’s visit to Pakistan. The story on the Chinese forign office's statement can be viewed here.
The embassy official further said it would be President Xi Jingping’s first visit to Pakistan since he took office. The last time the Chinese president visited Pakistan was eight years ago, he added.
Emphasising on the importance of Pak-China relations, the official said, “Our president would be visiting India and Sri Lanka but Pak-China relations cannot be compared with India.”
He said that Pakistan and China have a history of bilateral relations and while refering to four visits of Pakistani leadership in last few months to China, noted “no world leader has visited China so frequently.”
“When new dates are finalised, the Indians will say the Chinese president only visited Pakistan,” he added.
Foreign office statement
Meanwhile, a statement was released by the Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Saturday saying that the decision to postpone President Xi's visit was taken by both countries in view of the current political situation in Pakistan. It added that new dates for the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan were being discussed through diplomatic channels.
On Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s top aide on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz announced that the Chinese president had decided to postpone his visit to Pakistan due to possible security threats in light of the ongoing protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek in Islamabad.
COMMENTS (10)
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@Irfan but: Exactly! Most N supporters only vote for them because they want to continue Punjabi domination in the country but they don't understand that it's either Imran Khan today or Sindhustan, Mohajeristan, Azad Balochistan and Pashtunistan 5 years later.
Chinese are NOT our friend and they are not investing but giving us loans on interest. Chinese have history of taking advantage of our weaknesses and exploiting for their benefit. Case in point Safe City. Even Chief Justice Iftekhar objected due to huge kickbacks. As a expert in the field those 2000+ cameras don't add-up to $150 million with all the accessories. In fact the cost needs to be $42 million. Our PakSAT never should have cost us what Chinese charged us. Atleast when US sells its aircraft BOEING their margin is close to 5 to 10% and they have to declare this to their FBR.
what does IK has to say to it;now he is proved liar.
If Imran and PTI trolls have any honour left in them, they should stop confusing nation. Its clear now that Imran and Fake Revolutionary Thug are responsible for postponement of a very important visit.
Why is this country and FO so india obsessed? What was the need to mention india on what it thinks on china pak visits? Was the topic about india or pakistan? Go see the $billion worth trade india-china does, co-operate on world issues and side together, members of brics and now soon to be member in sco. Please come back to reality. "Enemy of an enemy friend" policy friendship partnership only exist till enemy remains an enemy. Indo-sino ties are moving into partners category solving their issues as well well boosting trade.
So, nice comments from Chinese officials. We respect their comments and steadfastness to a relationship with Pakistan.
long live pak china friendship but we gotta straight them up the crrupt first so no more money loundering to swiss bank happend again in the future jaye imran khan ....
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