Pakistan supports China’s maritime sovereignty: Janjua

ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua on Monday said Pakistan and China had always stood together for protecting their territorial and national sovereignty.

“Both countries have a shared vision for a better future,” he said at a function held to declare support to China on the issue of South China Sea. 101 Friends of China, a think-tank, passed unanimous resolution on the occasion, stating the people of Pakistan fully endorsed the position taken by China on the South China Sea with regard to its sovereignty over Nansha Island and the surrounding water.

The resolution emphasised that the issue should be resolved peacefully through bilateral channels by the parties concerned. It stressed that the Permanent Court of Arbitration should conduct business strictly within its jurisdiction and that its ruling should not be an instrument to fuel tensions and disputes.

It underlined the need that international arbitral institutions should not be used for political purposes.The resolution was meant to send a message of support and solidarity to the people of China on issue of its maritime sovereignty. It categorically stated “The People of Pakistan stand by China on the issue of South China Sea.”

Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhao Lijian thanked the group for its unanimous support on a crucial issue which relates to peace and security in the region. He briefed the participants on the issue in its historical perspectives.

Nansha Island had been an integral part of China over the years. However, it was raised as a dispute for vested interests since 1970.China to this effect, he said, would not accept the verdict of so-called Hague Tribunal. He said his country could not be intimidated by show of force and sending aircraft into the sea water.

Janjua in his address spoke about the significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), stating that it provided a great opportunity to Pakistan to turn into a gateway for China’s connectivity plan with the rest of the world, particularly the Central Asian States.

“It is Pakistan’s greatest fortune that it is going to be a corridor for economic integration at the global level.”Pakistan and China, he said, would continue work together to ensure a better future for their people.

He hoped that issues like the South China Sea would be resolved through negotiated settlements by the parties concerned. Pakistan, he declared, would never be a part of any move that leads to containment of China.