Future planning: Chinese official hints at president’s visit

Delegation from Beijing meets General Raheel and President Mamnoon

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have explored options to reschedule the visit of President Xi Jinping, who postponed his landmark visit in August due to political unrest triggered by anti-government protests in the country.

A senior official of the Chinese administration travelled to Islamabad and held meetings with civil and military authorities to discuss the possibilities of the Chinese president’s visit.

However, the Chinese Embassy did not confirm whether the arrival of the senior official is in connection with the president’s visit to Pakistan.

Chinese State Councillor and Minister for Public Security Guo Shengkun, along with his delegation, held a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

During the meeting, issues of mutual interest, regional security and measures to enhance bilateral defence and security collaboration were discussed. “Chinese dignitaries acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts towards fighting terrorism and regional stability and appreciated the successes achieved in the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb,” stated Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, the visiting dignitary called on President Mamnoon Hussain and discussed issues related to Afghanistan, power crisis, security of Chinese workers in Pakistan and East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), it has been learnt. According to the sources, Guo Shengkun noted that the Chinese president’s visit to Islamabad was of great importance, saying “it was unfortunate that the visit was postponed and expressed the hope that it would take place soon.”

Pakistan firmly adheres to the One China policy and supports Beijing on issues of its core interest from Tiawan and Tibet to human rights, said President Mamnoon Hussain, adding that Pakistan recognises that the ETIM endangers not only the stability of China but also of Pakistan. Our government and people, including all institutions, consider the ETIM as enemy of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2014.

Correction: In an earlier version of this story, Turkestan in the East Turkestan Islamic Movement was incorrectly mentioned as Turkmenistan. The error is regretted.