ISLAMABAD: Assistant Foreign Minister of the Peoples Republic of China, Kong Xuanyou, reiterated his government’s continued support towards the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Pakistan.
Acknowledging the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in fighting terrorism and extremism, he assured China’s full support against these menaces. During talks with the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, both sides expressed satisfaction at the continued expansion and deepening of bilateral relations.
The adviser emphasised the importance that Pakistan attaches to its relations with China and the need to hold regular high-level exchanges. Xuanyou thanked Pakistan for its consistent and strong support on issues of vital interest to China.
In a bilateral meeting between Foreign Secretary, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and the visiting Chinese dignitary, the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) came under discussion.
The two sides agreed to remain engaged and strengthen cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The foreign secretary briefed the assistant minister on the latest situation in Afghanistan. He highlighted the imperatives of reaching sustainable and lasting peace in Afghanistan through reconciliation and dialogue.
The two sides agreed that the international community should remain constructively engaged with Afghanistan, especially through the Quadrilateral Consultative Group (QCG), in support of Afghan-led and Afghan-owned political reconciliation.
The secretary also appraised the visiting delegation of the grave humanitarian situation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir due to human rights violations. He expressed hope that the international community would play its role in pressuring India to put an end to blatant abuse in the region.
Xuanyou briefed Aizaz on China’s efforts to bring peace and development in the region with both sides expressing satisfaction at the continued growth of cooperative strategic partnership. They noted that the timely completion of CPEC’s early harvest projects would significantly contribute towards the uplift of the region and improve regional connectivity.
