China on Sunday pledged closer cooperation with Pakistan under the USD 60 billion CPEC investment program and called for resolving the Kashmir issue properly and peacefully while opposing any “unilateral actions” that could complicate the situation as Prime Minister Imran Khan held talks with the top Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on Sunday. Xi said China is willing to work with Pakistan to accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, deepen the development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and expand cooperation in fields such as technology, agriculture, and people’s wellbeing.
In their meeting, Xi pointed out that 2021 was a year of great significance for both countries. China and Pakistan celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Looking back at the history and drawing lessons from the past, the two countries will pioneer bilateral ties with more resolute confidence, Xi said.
China is willing to join hands with Pakistan to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era. The strategic relationship between China and Pakistan is of prominence in a changing world, Xi noted, saying the countries will conduct more extensive and deepening strategic cooperation following the tradition of always bearing mutual assistance and cooperation.
“China upholds fairness and justice in international affairs. China is willing to strengthen the coordination and cooperation with Pakistan in multilateral venues such as the UN and promote justice and world and regional peace,” Xi said.
He added that China is willing to work with Pakistan in “aligning development strategies”. This was the first meeting of the two leaders since Khan’s visit to China in October 2019.
Khan thanked China’s support to Pakistan in fighting COVID-19. The vaccines offered by China not only saved the people of Pakistan but also the country’s economy. He spoke highly of bilateral ties, noting China and Pakistan have an all-weather friendship. The prime minister said Pakistan will stand with China at any time.
“Pakistan and China not only see each other as iron brothers, but they also think that China and Pakistan relationship is as high as the Himalayas,” Khan said on February 5. Khan said Pakistan is willing to promote the second phase of the CPEC and strengthen cooperation in fields like industry, agriculture, and information technology to advance the country’s economic development. Khan also said Pakistan is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China in affairs related to Afghanistan and safeguard regional security and stability.
