Chinese FM in Islamabad to partake in trilateral dialogue
Pakistan and China have reaffirmed the resolve to work together for promoting regional peace and prosperity as well as jointly cope with external challenges. Both sides emphasised the need to further advance and deepen bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, economy, culture and defence for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The two sides also called for increasing bilateral exchanges, people-to-people contacts, and cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism to further cement bilateral ties.
This was discussed at a meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and the visiting State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of People’s Republic of China, Mr Qin Gang, who along with the members of his delegation, called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sun Weidong, and senior government officials of Pakistan and China.
Welcoming the Foreign Minister of China, the President said that Pakistan-China relations were rooted in mutual trust, understanding, goodwill and both sides firmly supported each other on core issues. He highlighted that Pakistan-China mutual cooperation was assuming an even greater significance in the light of new developments taking place in the regional and international arenas.
The President said that Pakistan was committed to the completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar port, which would play a significant role in the promotion of bilateral trade, besides enhancing regional trade and connectivity. He said that Pakistan would take effective measures to ensure the security of the Chinese personnel working on various CPEC projects. He expressed optimism that the recent opening of Khunjerab Pass would facilitate the movement of goods from Xinjiang to Gwadar and vice versa.
