BEIJING: Pakistan and China on Wednesday discussed bilateral relationships, regional and international issues of common interest and reaffirmed support for each other on the issues of core interest.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, who is currently on a five-day visit to China, met his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping and discussed the positive trajectory of the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China, stated a press release issued by the President Secretariat.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed regional and international issues of common interest, and opportunities to even further expand the scope of bilateral partnership, especially through continued high-level exchanges.
Accelerating CPEC projects
Both sides also discussed the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) phase two and its vital role in promoting regional connectivity, shared benefits and common prosperity, including through partnerships with other countries. The two sides also focused on accelerating the implementation of CPEC projects.
The meeting emphasised the need for people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges to strengthen the Pakistan-China community of a shared future.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to its all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China and underlined the unique, time-tested and special relationship between the two countries.
“No matter how many terrors, how many issues crop up in the world, I will stand, Pakistan people will stand with the people of China.”
Pakistan’s President also commended China’s exemplary development, progress and prosperity, calling it a manifestation of the vision of the Chinese leadership and the dynamism of the Chinese people.
He also paid rich tribute to President Xi for China’s profound contributions to global development under the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). He termed CPEC as a “shining model of the BRI’s visionary concept of win-win cooperation”.
Xi praises China-Pakistan ties
President Xi praised the enduring relationship between the two nations, citing advancements in the CPEC and cooperation across various sectors as a model for international partnerships.
“The Chinese side is willing to work with the Pakistani side to move forward hand-in-hand on our respective paths of modernization,” Xi said.
Last month, a $230 million Chinese-funded airport—the largest in Pakistan—became operational in Gwadar, a key coastal city in Baluchistan province. The Gwadar shipping port is the envisioned terminus of CPEC, linking western China’s Xinjiang region with the Arabian Sea.
The two sides underlined the significance of people-to-people linkages and cultural exchanges for strengthening the China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.
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President Zardari extended the invitation to President Xi to visit Pakistan, emphasising that the people and government of Pakistan hold him in high esteem as a visionary leader and as a special friend of Pakistan.
Pakistan-China sign several MoUs
Following the meeting, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Pakistan and China, witnessed by both presidents.
These MoUs cover cooperation in various fields, including science and technology, media, trade, health, energy, and socio-economic development.
Later, President Xi Jinping also hosted a dinner in honour of President Asif Ali Zardari and his delegation.
Earlier, President Zardari arrived at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today, where he received a warm welcome from President Xi.
A guard of honour was presented by the Chinese armed forces, followed by the playing of both national anthems. A group of Chinese children offered a welcoming performance, and both presidents introduced members of their respective delegations.
During his visit, Asif Zardari will also travel to Harbin to attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games, underscoring the broadening scope of Pakistan-China cooperation.
