China, Pakistan vow to further all-round cooperation

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad, Pakistan, May 6, 2023. [Xinhua/Jiang Chao]

ISLAMABAD -- China and Pakistan agreed on Saturday to further promote the all-round cooperation between the two countries.

When co-chairing the fourth round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China highly appreciates Pakistan's support on issues concerning China's core interests.

China will, as always, continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, back Pakistan to fight terrorism, and champion the South Asian country in maintaining unity and stability, achieving development and prosperity, and playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs, he said.

China is ready to make joint efforts with Pakistan to fully implement the important consensuses reached between leaders of the two countries, maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, and strengthen strategic communication, so as to contribute to the development of bilateral relations and bring stability to the region and the world, Qin added.

Both sides should push forward the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), explore new areas of cooperation in industry, agriculture, mining, science and technology and information technology, foster new growth points, and deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, he said.

China is willing to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in security capacity building and security system, Qin said.

China expects Pakistan to take the strictest measures to ensure the security and safety of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions, he said.

The Chinese foreign minister said that China is ready to work with Pakistan to take the lead to implement the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative in Pakistan and strengthen coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, safeguarding international fairness and justice, as well as common interests of developing countries.

For his part, Bilawal said that it is the consensus of various Pakistani political parties and all walks of life to consolidate the traditional friendship between Pakistan and China, and deepening Pakistan-China friendship and cooperation is the cornerstone that remains at the center of Pakistan's foreign policy.

The Pakistani side appreciates China's assistance in evacuating Pakistani nationals from Sudan and its fight against floods, Bilawal said.

He noted that the Pakistani side firmly opposes any attempt to contain China and will always stand with China. Pakistan remains steadfast in upholding the one-China policy and firmly supports China on all issues related to its core interests.

He pointed out that Pakistan expects to closely cooperate with China in jointly advancing the CPEC construction, strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade, finance, connectivity, cultural exchanges and counter-terrorism, and promoting a new era of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

The Pakistani side will do its utmost to crack down on terrorist organizations to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan, Bilawal said.

He expressed Pakistan's support for the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, pledging to work with China to combat terrorism and address global challenges such as climate change. 

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang co-chairs the fourth round of the China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad, Pakistan, May 6, 2023. [Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal]