PM, Chinese President discuss regional issues

F.P. Report

BEIJING : Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their shared commitment and resolve to further strengthen the iron-clad, all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

The resolve was expressed during the most warm and extremely cordial meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated President Xi Jinping on the success of the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit in Tianjin and offered his felicitations on the 80th anniversary of World’s Anti-Fascist War.

While lauding President Xi Jinping for his visionary and transformational leadership that has inspired China’s remaining journey towards modernization and progress, the Prime Minister said Pakistan takes great pride in China’s achievements and would always stand ready to work together with China in this great journey.

Shehbaz Sharif appreciated China’s unflinching support to Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and socio-economic development.

He also lauded the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a flagship project of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the desire to continue working closely with China for the successful implementation of the next phase of upgraded CPEC, with its five new corridors.

He said this would help both the countries to build an even stronger Pakistan-China community with a shared future.

The Prime Minister hailed President Xi Jinping’s strong commitment to strengthen multilateralism and said Pakistan fully supports President Xi’s landmark steps in this regard including the Global Governance Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative as well as Global Civilization Initiative.

He said these initiatives would serve the collective global good and contribute to regional as well as global peace, stability and development.

On his part, President Xi Jinping said China would continue to assist Pakistan in all fields of economic growth and development, especially as the two countries are now ushering in the second Phase of CPEC that would focus on Pakistan’s most important economic sectors.

Both the leaders agreed that the relationship between their countries are unique and unparalleled and this should be reflected in their enhanced bilateral cooperation.

The two leaders also discussed important regional and global developments and agreed to continue close cooperation between Pakistan and China in this regard.

Availing himself of the opportunity, the Prime Minister renewed his most cordial invitation to President Xi Jinping to undertake an official visit to Pakistan next year, when both countries would celebrate the 75th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.