Pakistan, China agree to strengthen strategic cooperation

ISLAMABAD: China and Pakistan on Saturday agreed to strengthen the strategic cooperation partnership between the two countries.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, met Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The two counterparts held a one-on-one meeting at the Foreign Office.

Delegation-level talks between the two delegations led by the two foreign ministers were also held, according to FO spokeperson Dr Muhammad Faisal.

“Chinese State Councillor Yi underscored Beijing’s firm support to Pakistan’s socioeconomic progress and development,” the FO spokesperson said.

Yi also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Imran Khan to be the guest of honour at the International Import Expo in China.

“China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), economic cooperation, cultural and educational exchanges and regional situation were discussed during the meeting,” the spokesperson further said.

The Chinese foreign minister arrived in Pakistan on Friday.

He will also call on the president, the prime minister, National Assembly speaker and the chief of army staff (COAS).

This is the first official visit by a Chinese dignitary since the new government was formed in Pakistan.

The Chinese state councilor is visiting Pakistan upon the invitation of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced Thursday.

Chunying said China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners, adding that the two countries are “good neighbours, good friends, and good brothers”.

Moreover, she said China-Pakistan relations have maintained a good momentum of development. “The two sides have maintained frequent high-level exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in various fields has progressed smoothly,” she added.

She further said the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has achieved fruitful results.