ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China held a fresh round of talks aimed at strengthening their strategic partnership and promoting regional peace and prosperity.
The talks, which took place on Saturday, were led by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad.
During the talks, both sides pledged to work together to jointly cope with external challenges and promote peace and prosperity in the region. The Chinese Foreign Minister arrived in Islamabad on Friday to participate in a trilateral dialogue between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.
During the talks, the expansion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan and issues such as restrictions on Afghan women were discussed. The dialogue took place while the United Nations held a meeting on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, without inviting the country’s de facto rulers.
Pakistan is also likely to raise security issues with Afghan acting FM Mawlawi Muttaqi, as attacks on its security forces have increased in border areas. In the past year, over 300 people have been killed while over 500 have been injured in nearly 440 terrorist incidents.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening its relationship with China and taking it into a new era. He emphasized that there is absolute unison across the political spectrum and divide when it comes to the Pakistan-China strategic partnership.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also highlighted that China has always proved to be a reliable partner and a trusted friend. He cited China’s prompt support and assistance in evacuating Pakistani nationals from Sudan as an example of this friendship. He further stated that friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
The Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, echoed these sentiments, saying that China attaches great importance to its relationship with Pakistan and is committed to taking it to new heights. He emphasized that China firmly supports Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national development, and that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has strategic significance for both countries.
Overall, the talks between Pakistan and China highlighted the strong relationship between the two countries and their commitment to working together for regional peace and prosperity. The discussions on expanding the CPEC to Afghanistan and addressing security concerns in border areas indicate a willingness to tackle challenges and find solutions through cooperation.
