Staff Reporter
Islamabad
A Chinese delegation, led by China’s State Councilor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe on Tuesday met President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed matters of mutual interest and regional issues.
During the meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and Chinese Minister for National Defence General Wei Fenghe, Pakistan and China reiterated their resolve to further consolidate their friendship for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Welcoming the Chinese Defence Minister, the President said that Pakistan’s friendship with China was the cornerstone of its foreign policy and Pakistan wanted to further improve and cement its ties with the People’s Republic of China so as to address the security challenges being faced by the region. The President informed the delegation that Pakistan strongly adhered to One-China Policy and supported China on issues of Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and South China Sea. The President expressed concern over the Indian hegemonic designs that posed a threat to regional peace and stability. The President also highlighted India’s state-sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan.
President Dr Arif Alvi appreciated the economic progress made by China as well as the measures taken by the Chinese Government in containing the Covid-19 pandemic. He lauded the steadfast Chinese support to Pakistan on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, including at international fora.
The President underlined that there was huge scope of bilateral defence cooperation that needed to be further expanded for the mutual advantage of the two countries.
General Wei Fenghe, speaking on the occasion stated that military relations between the two all-weather friends had made significant progress and expressed the hope that his visit would further strengthen the defence cooperation.
He said that China wanted to share dividends of development with Pakistan that would help in economic uplift of Pakistan.
He thanked the President for being the first foreign dignitary to visit China during March 2020 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic as well as sending the medical equipment. He also thanked the President for conferring the award of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) on him, saying that it reflected the true friendship between the two countries.
