Observer Report
Beijing
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday he was watching the situation in Kashmir and would support Pakistan in issues related to its core interests.
Xi told Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting in Beijing that the right and wrong of the situation was clear and added that Pakistan and India should resolve the dispute via peaceful dialogue, a report in Chinese media said.
Tensions over the disputed region of Kashmir have risen sharply since August 5 when New Delhi revoked the autonomy of occupied Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan rule in part and claim in full.
The meeting also involved discussions on multiple topics including bilateral relations, the current state of the region and security and other matters of mutual interest.
The premier thanked the Chinese president and the government for its principled stance on the Kashmir issue and specifically mentioned Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s statement on the issue at the United Nations.
Lauding China for supporting Pakistan on every forum, the prime minister also thanked President Xi and maintained that China had firmly stood by Pakistan in supporting Pakistan’s core national interests and played a major role in advancing Pakistan’s economy as well as national development goals.
He added that Beijing has supported Islamabad without any conditions. “Prime Minister affirmed that speedy completion of CPEC projects was number one priority of his government and that CPEC, an integral part of President Xi’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative, would play a transformational role in accelerating Pakistan’s economic development and promoting regional connectivity and prosperity,” said a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office. The premier reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support to China on all issues of its core interest.
“President Xi lauded Pakistan’s efforts in combatting terrorism and maintained that Pakistan through institutional and economic reforms was resolutely and promisingly on the way to substantial economic development,” added the statement.
The Pakistan side briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, position, and current urgent issues. The Chinese side responded that it was paying close attention to the current situation in Jammu & Kashmir and reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved based on the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.
The two sides underlined that a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous South Asia was in common interest of all parties. Parties need to settle disputes and issues in the region through dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
