Islamabad
Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Luo Zhaohui called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday and
Premier briefed them on the evolving situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir after New Delhi’s unilateral and illegal actions of August 5.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
He stressed that the curfew in place for the past 35 days, the continued lockdown and communications blockade, and the massive human rights violations had created a dire humanitarian situation in IOK which needed to be urgently addressed.
He said that the curfew and other restrictions needed to be lifted immediately.
The Chinese foreign minister reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s stance and reiterated its opposition to any unilateral action, as well as the measures by India, that could further complicate the regional security situation.
Recalling the depth and breadth of Pakistan-China ties, Imran underscored that friendship with China was a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He said the ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ between the two countries was deeply rooted in mutual trust and respect and was an anchor of peace and stability in the region and beyond. He stressed that in order to deepen strategic cooperation, Pakistan and China should continue their close coordination and consultations to ensure peace and stability in the region.
The Chinese state councilor conveyed President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang’s best wishes to PM Imran and said that the Pakistan-China relationship was “rock-solid and unbreakable”.
Wang highlighted that Pakistan and China’s bilateral relationship was based on “mutual respect, trust and strong bonds of friendship”. He appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to achieve goals of national development and extended China’s utmost support in this regard.
The Chinese foreign minister noted that Pakistan’s economic and financial condition was improving due to the current government’s policies. PM Imran said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor was a project of great national significance that contributed immensely to the revitalisation of Pakistan’s economy. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the timely completion of CPEC projects and highlighted the importance of the CPEC Authority for speedy execution of CPEC projects.He expressed hope that more Chinese companies would invest in Pakistan and help support Pakistan’s process of industrialisation, as well as its policies of greater agricultural productivity and innovation.
Both leaders agreed that more high-level exchanges should continue to promote bilateral ties and to help the two countries achieve their shared goals of economic development, peace, and security across the region.
In a joint press release issued on the culmination of the Chinese foreign minister’s two-day visit to Pakistan, Beijing reaffirmed its support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue and said it opposes any unilateral actions that could complicate the regional situation.
The Chinese side reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and national dignity, in choosing its development path in light of its national conditions, in working for a better external security environment, and in playing a more constructive role in regional and international issues.
