Pakistan, China to promote cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have agreed to further promote cooperation on all issues of mutual interest. The agreement has come in an important meeting between visiting Vice-Premier of China and host Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi here on Sunday evening when the former called on Prime Minister Abbasi at the Prime Minister’s House.

 The prime minister warmly welcomed Wang Yang, the Vice-Premier of the State Council of People’s Republic of China, who will also be guest of honour in the Independence Day celebrations today (Monday). 

The prime minister, while warmly welcoming Wang Yang, said that Pakistan and China are all weather friends and strategic partners. Pak-China bilateral ties are time tested; our relationship has attained new heights after the CPEC that is a game changer for the region and beyond, the prime minister stated. Both the leaders held comprehensive discussions on all issues of bilateral, regional and international interest. They expressed satisfaction at the progress in implementation of CPEC projects. 

Vice Premier Wang Yang congratulated the prime minister on Pakistan’s 70th anniversary celebrations and stressed that his visit demonstrated the close strategic relations between the “iron brothers”, Pakistan and China, and China's strong support for Pakistan. He thanked Pakistan for its consistent support for issues of core importance to China. Both leaders agreed to further promote cooperation on all issues of mutual interest.

After the meeting, the prime minister and the Chinese vice prime minister witnessed the inauguration ceremony of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy and infrastructure projects and the signing of bilateral MoUs/agreements between the two countries. The Chinese vice premier was assisted by Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong and other senior officials.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Secretary to Prime Minister (SPM) Fawad Hasan Fawad, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other senior government officials were also present during the meeting.

The prime minister also hosted a dinner in honour of the Chinese vice premier and members of the visiting delegation.