BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday asked the international community to acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts in countering terrorism, and reiterated Beijing’s continuing and firm support for Pakistan’s fight against terrorism.
Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif at the State Guest House, he said, “The government and people of Pakistan have made huge sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and such efforts and sacrifices are there for everyone to see.”
He said that China recognises Pakistan’s efforts in countering terrorism and fully supports its iron brother in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Both the countries are making joint efforts for peace in the region.”
The Chinese foreign minister said that Sino-Pak relationship was strong and unbreakable and added that Beijing would continue to play its role for the progress and development of Pakistan.
Terming Pakistan an important country in the fight against global terrorism, he acknowledged unprecedented sacrifices rendered by Pakistan during the war against terrorism.
About Afghanistan, he said peace and stability in that country was in the interest of both China and Pakistan, adding, “China wants improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Khawaja Muhammad Asif thanked his Chinese counterpart for acknowledging Pakistan’s sacrifices and providing an unflinching support to Pakistan in its war against terrorism.
He also thanked China for its support and affirmed Pakistan’s support for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of One Belt, One Road initiative announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“China and Pakistan enjoy friendly relations based on history, mutual trust, equality, harmony, non-interference and common agenda of socioeconomic development,” he added.
Pakistan, he said, deeply valued China’s support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity and asserted Pakistan’s support for One China policy and China’s interests in Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and South China Sea.
The foreign minister said there was no military solution to the Afghan problem, adding that peace and stability could be brought in that country through a political solution. “It is Islamabad’s firm view that maintaining regional security is a critical priority, and focus should remain on peaceful solutions.”
He said that Pakistan had been making efforts to improve relations with Afghanistan, adding that before coming to Beijing, he had a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart.
Khawaja Asif said this was the first high-level contact between the two neighbours after announcement of US President Donald Trump’s revised policy towards Afghanistan.
He also vowed to provide full security to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, adding that stern action would be taken against anyone threatening the project.
Upon his arrival at the State Guest House, Khawaja Muhammad Asif and his delegation were welcomed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Both the leaders held productive discussions with broad consensus on bilateral relations as well as the regional and global situation in the backdrop of emerging challenges.
Wang Yi thanked Khawaja Asif for his visit and reaffirmed China’s continuing and firm support to Pakistan. He vowed to further strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative friendship with Pakistan.
He also reiterated Chinese commitment and support to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan.
Khawaja Asif highlighted importance of Pakistan-China friendship as well as strategic partnership and economic relations, and reiterated Pakistan’s support to China on all issues of its core interest.
He said that Pakistan wanted peace in Afghanistan and an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process was the only way forward.
He, however, pointed out that Pakistan’s security concerns must be addressed and Pakistan’s sacrifices be acknowledged.
National Security Advisor Lt Gen (r) Nasser Janjua, Pakistan’s Ambassador Masood Khalid and senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present. Earlier, high-level officials of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed Khawaja Muhammad Asif as he arrived at the airport.
Published in Daily Times, September 9th 2017.
