Pakistan to attend SCO summit as full member in June: Yao Jing

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan on Thursday said that first time Pakistan would attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit hosted by China as full member in June and president of Pakistan would grace the event.

While briefing the media persons Chinese ambassador said that the meeting between President Xi and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi remained successful during Boao forum. Ambassador, who was present in the meeting, said that during the meeting President Xi showed satisfaction on the progress of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Chinese president said China-Pakistan relations are best example of good neighbours and China take this relation to new stage.

Chinese ambassador said that during the meeting PM Abbasi suggested President Xi to import sugar and rice from Pakistan and now China is thinking about it. Talking about development projects in Gwadar, Chinese ambassador said that new projects in Gwadar including two more water plants, expansion of Gwadar Airport and a big hospital are under consideration.

Briefing about SCO summit he said that this summit would very comprehensive where ministers from transportation, trade, human rights etc would have meeting with each others. “Chief Justices of all the members’ countries would also attend SCO summit to develop their partnership in the field of judiciary,” he added.

In connection with the SCO, the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States will be held in Beijing on April 24. Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif will represent his country at the meeting. This is the first meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States after the enlargement of the SCO, which aims to lay the groundwork for the Qingdao Summit.

Relying to a question about anti-CPEC propaganda by the vested lobby, the ambassador said it will not work, since Pakistani media is highly friendly and cooperative, and it is quite effective in countering it, building positive image of their socio-economic partnership.

He pointed out that consolidating the all-weather friendship between China and Pakistan has more important and practical significance for regional peace and development.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation, which was announced in June 2001 and Pakistan was announced its full member in June 2017.