Foreign Minister appreciates China's achievements

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, called on China’s Ambassador, Yao Jing, in Islamabad and spoke highly of China's achievements in fighting the new corona pneumonia epidemic. Chinese Counselor, Pang Chunxue, and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, Sohail Mahmood, were also present on the occasion.

According to the details made available by the Chinese Embassy, the Foreign Minister stated to have been deeply moved when he watched the unlocking of Wuhan where people returned to normal life and even took to the streets to hug each other. 

Shah Mahmood recognized that the Chinese government had demonstrated strong leadership, mobilization, and organizational capabilities in responding to the epidemic. 

“The Chinese people were united and united in their efforts to work together with the government to respond to the epidemic. Against the background of the rapid spread of the epidemic in the world, China took the lead in resuming economic and social development, giving the world confidence and strength,” the Foreign Minister was quoted to have acknowledged during the meeting. 

“China's response model has been replicated by other countries for reference. China is still doing its utmost to provide support and assistance to countries in the fight against epidemic disease, share knowledge and experience, and provide countries with much needed anti-epidemic materials,” he added. 

Reiterating that Pakistan highly valued China-Pakistan friendship, the Foreign Minister recalled that President Dr Arif Alvi had visited China last month to convey the firm support of Pakistan to the Chinese government and people.

“At that time, the Pakistani government insisted on not evacuating overseas Pakistanis from China as we were fully confident in the Chinese government's response for their welfare. After the outbreak of virus in Pakistan, China timely came out to give Pakistan strong support. The Pakistani government and people express their heartiest thanks for the Chinese unvalued support,” Shah Mahmood said. 

“The characteristics of China-Pakistan relations based on that both side support each other at difficult time. We look forward to defeating the epidemic at an early date with the strong support of China. Pakistan attaches great importance to the Belt and Road project and the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and believes that the cooperation between the two sides will not be affected by the epidemic,” he hoped. 

Ambassador Yao thanked Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for his positive evaluation, saying that China had received vigorous support and help from Pakistan and the international community during the fight against the epidemic. 

“China believes that only by uniting and co-operating with all countries in the world can respond better to the epidemic and China is making its utmost efforts to this end. China and Pakistan have always had a good tradition of mutual support and mutual help. Pakistan has always been a priority direction for China's peripheral diplomacy,” he reminded. 

“The Chinese government and people are very grateful to Pakistan for its firm support for China's fight against epidemics. The grace of Dripping Water reported that China will continue to give its full support to Pakistan in fighting the epidemic. I hope and believe that under the leadership of the Pakistani government, Pakistan can overcome the epidemic as soon as possible and resume normal life,” the ambassador added. He stressed that China was also willing to work together with Pakistan to promote the construction of the CPEC.

Pakistan, China to upgrade strategic ties

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan and China, having enjoyed decades of brotherly relations, have reiterated their resolve to upgrade all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and take it to new heights while giving a thrust to key areas of economic, trade and defence. 

The two neighbouring countries have agreed to form a joint mechanism for curbing terrorism and poverty, increasing exports, creating jobs and promoting education.

They have also expressed convergence of opinion that social and economic development would be an important area under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cooperation between the two countries. 

Addressing a joint press conference, with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Islamabad on September 8, after their delegation-level talks, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, remarked both countries were supporting each other on various international fora and shared common principles on different international and regional issues, asserting that enhancing the all-weather strategic partnership with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. 

“CPEC will remain a priority for the government. It’s a proof of how seamless the Belt and Road initiative can become with the help of all stakeholders. We are proud of Pakistan and China's friendship which has withstood every test," he assured. 

“CPEC has not inflicted a debt burden on Pakistan, rather when these projects get completed and enter into operation, they will unleash huge economic benefit and these will create considerable returns to the Pakistani economy. This has helped increase the economic growth by 1-2 percent and has contributed 70,000 jobs in Pakistan,” the Chinese Foreign Minister stated. 

"China will give a lot of sustenance to encourage imports from Pakistan. We have decided to strive for a greater balance in the two-way trade. China will earmark subsidiaries to encourage imports from Pakistan and will send more coalition teams to Pakistan. We will also broaden the market access to Pakistan's competitive agricultural products," he added. 

The delegation level talks took place at the Foreign Office where the visiting Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, accompanied by three ministerial level representatives, met with Shah Mahmood Qureshi.