Chinese, Pakistani FMs vow to advance all-round bilateral cooperation

Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Saturday co-chaired the fourth round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Pakistan’s Islamabad and the two foreign ministers vowed to advance all-round bilateral cooperation.

Noting that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners, Qin hailed the rock-solid bilateral relations that have withstood the tests.

China appreciates Pakistan’s support on issues concerning China’s core interests, and will, as always, firmly support Pakistan to safeguard its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as combat terrorism, Qin said.

He added that China will support Pakistan in maintaining unity and stability, achieving development and prosperity, and playing a larger role in regional and international affairs.

China will work with Pakistan to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication and advance all-round China-Pakistan cooperation, so as to inject new impetus into bilateral relations and provide stability and positive energy for the region and the world at large, he said.

The Chinese foreign minister called on both sides to promote the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expand cooperation in areas such as industry, agriculture, mining, sci-tech and information technology, aiming to create a new growth point for the CPEC and deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

China is willing to deepen security capacity building and security system cooperation with Pakistan, Qin said, expressing his hope that Pakistan can protect the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions with the tightest measures.

Qin said China will work with Pakistan to push forward the implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), strengthen cooperation in multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to safeguard global justice and fairness, as well as the common interests of developing countries.

For his part, Bilawal hailed the friendship between the two countries, adding that deepening Pakistan-China friendly cooperation is the foundation and center of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

The Pakistani side resolutely opposes any attempt to contain China, firmly believes that China will continue to develop and achieve success, and will always stand with China, he said, voicing support on issues concerning China’s core interests.

He said Pakistan stands ready to work with China to jointly advance the CPEC construction, and strengthen cooperation in the fields of trade, finance, connectivity and counter-terrorism, aimed at promoting the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic partnership to enter a new era.

The Pakistani side will resolutely combat terrorist organizations and ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan, he said.

Pakistan supports the GDI, the GSI and the GCI and appreciates China for promoting the restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Bilawal said, expressing willingness to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral institutions, combat terrorism and address global challenges, such as climate change, with China, he added.

The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on strategic issues of common concern.