ISLAMABAD: China said on Thursday that together with Pakistan, it will make the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project successful. A high-level Chinese military delegation headed by General Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China, called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif separately. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said during the meeting at the Prime Minister’s House that friendship with China was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, as both the countries enjoyed incomparable relations in the contemporary world. Nawaz emphasised that the time-tested friendship between the two countries was based on strong mutual trust, cooperation and convergence of views on regional and global issues. He said the ongoing strategic dialogue, consular consultations and counterterrorism consultations between Pakistan and China provide a good opportunity to further improve their strategic partnership. General Fan Changlong appreciated Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism and said both countries shared a common view on combating the evil of terrorism and extremism. He said mutually supportive cooperation in the field of defence was a critical factor in maintaining peace and stability in the region. General Changlong said Pakistan had rendered huge sacrifices in the war against terrorism. Sabah adds: General Raheel Sharif said in his meeting with the Chinese delegation at the General Headquarters that the Pak-China relations are all-weather and based on mutual trust, cooperation which comes true at every hour of trial. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the visit was the first by the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of China after a lapse of 11 years. The meeting was followed by delegation level talks. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, steps for regional stability and enhanced bilateral defence collaboration came under discussion. General Raheel said the Pak-China relations are all-weather and based on mutual trust and cooperation. He said this relationship had survived the test of times and was only bound to grow. Highlighting the Pak-China defence and security cooperation, General Fan Changlong said, “China and Pakistan are the best iron brothers, good friends and strategic partners. We share the tradition of mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual support.” He said China deeply appreciates the determination of the Pakistan Army in counter terrorism and the successful operation in various fields. “China values the efforts of Pakistan Army in fighting the ETIM,” General Fan said, adding that CPEC was equally beneficial to both China and Pakistan. “Both countries are committed to its continuous process and future success,” he said. He added that efforts of the Pakistan Army in safeguarding the CPEC were highly appreciable. “We look forward to close cooperation with Pakistan side to ensure proper management and security of CPEC,” he said. General Fan particularly expressed his appreciation of the role played by General Raheel in realising the CPEC and strengthening the relationship between China and Pakistan. Earlier, on arrival at the General Headquarters, a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented guard of honour to the visiting dignitary, who laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhuda and paid rich tributes to Shuhada of Pakistan. Upon his arrival at Islamabad’s Benazir Bhutto International Airport, he issued a written statement which said, “China and Pakistan, being close and friendly neighbours, always trust each other, understand each other and support each other, and have made fruitful cooperation in various fields. With the care and support of our state leaders, the China-Pakistan all-weather partnership is deepening steadily.” He said at present, the people of the two countries were joining hands to build the CEPC and China-Pakistan community of shared destiny. “The mutually-beneficial cooperation between China and Pakistan serves the common interest of our two peoples, and contributes to the peace, stability and development of the region in particular and the world at large,” the statement said.
