China stands by Pakistan in war on terror: Xi

ISLAMABAD: The president of China said on Monday the Operation Zarb-e-Azb initiated by Pakistan would bring peace and economic stability in the country and expressed the resolve to extend all-out cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his remarks said President Xi Jinping welcomed the “resolute steps” taken by Pakistan to counter terrorism and extremism, especially since the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb against the militants and terrorists. He said President Xi also recognised the sacrifices being rendered by the armed forces and the people of Pakistan in their efforts to root out militancy and terrorism.
“We have resolved to continue to cooperate to fight terrorism until we have cleansed our soils of this evil. I assured President Xi that Pakistan considers China’s security as important as its own security,” he maintained.
President Xi Jinping appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peaceful co-existence with its neighbouring countries and appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role to help Afghanistan achieve peace and stability.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) got a fresh breather as the two countries inked 51 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding to begin practical implementation on the ambitious Silk Route project.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President of China Xi Jinping witnessed the agreement signing ceremony that included projects related to energy and transport infrastructure, at the conclusion of their delegation and exclusive talks here at the Prime Minister’s Office.
President Xi Jinping is in Pakistan on a two-day state visit on the invitation of President Mamnoon Hussain, the first by a Chinese president in nine years.
At a joint press stake-out, the two leaders vowed to elevate their relationship to an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” that would give further impetus to their existing multifaceted ties. “Chinese presidents’ visits to Pakistan have always been historic. This visit too is historic. It is a watershed in the history of our relations,” the PM observed.
Similar views were expressed by Chinese President Xi who, while speaking of elevating their partnership, assured his country’s full support to Pakistan for full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The PM also appreciated China’s support in this regard. Both the leaders talked to the press after holding a round of delegation-level talks, and a restricted meeting between them. During the talks, the two sides reviewed regional and international developments and agreed on making coordinated efforts for peace and security in the region.
“I informed the president that Pakistan desires a peaceful neighborhood to focus on pursuing growth and delivering prosperity to the people. To this end, we want peaceful relations with all our neighbours,” the PM maintained.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping earlier also unveiled plaques of different projects spread across the country. The dignitaries witnessed the inauguration ceremony live through a video link.
The PM said that he, along with President Xi Jinping, had taken “momentous decisions” that would raise the Pakistan-China relations to new heights and “have deep and far-reaching impact for the common economic future and peace and stability in the region.” He further said both the leaders discussed the full spectrum of their bilateral relations and decided to strengthen them in the strategic, political, economic and cultural spheres.
The PM said the two sides had inked 51 agreements and MoUs for projects having sound financial and technical backing and were being put on a fast track.
The President of China, Xi Jinping, said 30 of these agreements were related to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and highlighted the few that included the Gwadar Port, the second phase of the Karakoram Highway, Lahore-Karachi Motorway project, Orange Line and several energy projects. He said China was working along with Pakistan to help it achieve its economic development and mentioned the solar power project in Cholistan would help with the livelihood programme.
The visit of the Chinese president aims at giving a practical shape to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC initiative was proposed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to Pakistan in 2013. President Jinping Xi and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif noted with satisfaction the excellent progress the two countries had made in expanding the economic dimension of the ties and mentioned the launch of several projects under the framework of “path-breaking” China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The PM said that the CPEC — linking China’s Kashgar with Gwadar - would spur growth of Pakistan’s critical sectors of infrastructure, energy and industry. “We are starting a fresh phase in our geo-economic partnership that would create new jobs, start businesses, promote education and professional training, and help eradicate poverty,” he added. Both the leaders noted that the corridor would benefit all the provinces and areas in Pakistan.
The PM said the CPEC would transform Pakistan into a regional hub and pivot for commerce and investment. He said it would also enable China to create a shorter and cheaper route for trade and investment with South, Central and West Asia and the Middle East and Africa. “This corridor will become a symbol for peace and prosperity,” he hoped.
PM Sharif said the visit allowed the two sides to coordinate positions on important multilateral issues, ahead of the 70th anniversary of founding of the United Nations. “Both countries affirmed their common desire to work closely to secure our interests in the UN reform process,” he added. He said Pakistan welcomed China’s policy of increased engagement with its neighbouring countries. “We share President Xi’s vision for peace and prosperity in the region, which would be built on the dual principles of comprehensive security and win-win cooperation,” he added.
The PM warmly welcomed the visiting dignitary and described him as “the leader of our great neighbour — China — and an international statesman. “President Xi is also a dear brother and a great friend of Pakistan. Our entire nation receives him with immense affection,” he proudly stated.
He said Pakistan-China friendship was best captured by poetry when the streets of two countries echoed with the expressions, “Our friendship is higher than mountains, deeper than oceans, sweeter than honey and stronger than steel.” He said there was a strong public sentiment driving their relationship but there was also solid basis to it. He attributed the consistency and resilience as prominent hallmarks of their relations. He said though times had changed and there had been political changes in China and Pakistan, besides major regional and international developments, but their ties had remained robust. “Four generations of our leaders and people have sustained them with passion and wisdom. Today we have planned for the future,” he added. He said the Pakistan-China relations were based on shared ideals and principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual respect. He said Chinese presidents’ visits to Pakistan had always been historic. “This visit too is historic. It is a watershed in the history of our relations,” he added.
President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the two sides agreed on more frequent people-to-people contacts, in this year of friendly exchanges, between think-tanks, media, youth, academics, and artists.
President Xi Jinping said he would also be handing over awards to seven people — the “Principles of Peaceful Co-existence Friendship Awards” besides meeting representatives of Pakistani friends during his stay.
PM Sharif reiterated “our friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.”
President Xi Jinping reciprocated by saying that China’s foreign policy too places relations with Pakistan on high priority.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be a symbol of peace and prosperity as Pakistan would become a hub of trade in the region.
He said the landmark visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping would usher in a new era of development in Pakistan and start a new chapter in the friendship between the two countries. Pakistan attached the highest priority to its strategic cooperative partnership with China, he said.
He said this while talking to President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, at the PM Office here on Monday. The Chinese president is on his first state visit to Pakistan since assuming office in 2013. This is also the president’s first foreign visit during the year, which underscores the importance he attaches to Pakistan. He scheduled to visit Pakistan in September last but the sit-in scuttled it.
The two leaders had a one-on-one meeting in addition to delegation-level talks.
The meetings reviewed all aspects of the bilateral relations between the two countries in addition to exchanging views on regional issues and international developments.
While welcoming the Chinese president to Pakistan, the prime minister said the strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China was without any parallel in the annals of international relations. Pakistan’s relationship with China enjoyed across-the-board political, institutional and popular support that was unique and set it apart from other relationships.
While noting that high-level exchanges are the hallmark of Pakistan-China relations, the prime minister said the landmark visit of President Xi Jinping would strengthen the all-weather friendship between the two countries.
The prime minister appreciated President Xi Jinping’s vision for enhanced cooperation with Asian countries, which demonstrated China’s commitment to sharing the fruits of its progress with underdeveloped countries. Describing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a core component of President Xi’s vision for “One Road, One Belt”, the prime minister said the CPEC would transform the economic dimension of the two countries’ bilateral relationship.
The prime minister noted that President Xi’s visit would inject impetus into the project as it entered the implementation stage. Wide-ranging cooperation conceived under the CPEC, from Gwadar to energy and transport infrastructure projects, would transform Pakistan’s economy and have a profound impact on the lives of all Pakistanis, he said.
The prime minister said Pakistan acknowledged that investment by major Chinese public and private sector enterprises in Pakistan was one of the largest influxes of foreign capital in Pakistan.
He noted with pleasure that majority of these projects had been initiated during the tenure of the present government that were now nearing implementation and commissioning stages. These projects would not only hugely impact Pakistan’s economy but also boost the confidence of international investors in the entire region, he added.
The prime minister expressed the confidence that projects under the CPEC would create new job opportunities for Pakistan’s professional and skilled workers. The Chinese groups and companies would also have long-term benefit from investment in Pakistan, opening up new trade and investment linkages between the business communities of the two countries, he said.
The Chinese president said relations between China and Pakistan had developed into a strong tree having deep roots, nurtured by several generations of leadership of both the countries.
He regarded Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as a senior and seasoned statesman. “After coming into power, your government initiated far-reaching reforms which are very important for Pakistan. Your efforts against terrorism are highly appreciable,” he said.
He said relations between the two countries had stood the test of time and had always remained healthy and strong.
President Xi expressed confidence that Pakistan would continue to make progress and attain more successes in future with the solid commitment of its leadership towards development. He informed the prime minister that China wanted its relations with Pakistan to be a model for “community of shared destiny”. President Xi hailed the two countries’ decision to upgrade their friendship into an “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” as a landmark moment in the rich history of their relationship.