China urges fair perspective of Pak counter-terror efforts

BEIJING: China backed Pakistan on Tuesday, applauding its recent counter-terrorism measures, as the two countries reaffirmed support to each other on all core issues of their national interest.

“China commends Pakistan’s recent strong counter-terrorism measures at home,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters after meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. “We fully support Pakistan in carrying through its counterterrorism campaign,” Wang said. “We also call on the international community to adopt a fair perspective of the commitments and efforts made by Pakistan over the years to combat terrorism,” Wang said as he stood beside Qureshi.

On Tuesday, Pakistan expressed gratitude for China’s continued support. “Pakistan appreciates the role China has played once again, standing by Pakistan in these difficult times,” Qureshi said. “We have been cooperating against this menace of terrorism, and we feel strengthening this in relevant fields is important,” he said.

Qureshi said Pakistan had made a considerable progress vis-a-vis terrorism, “we have paid a huge price, everybody recognises that.”Earlier on Tuesday, the foreign ministers held a strategic dialogue and undertook in-depth discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), trade, investment and economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and regional and international issues.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Wang for China and Qureshi for Pakistan. The two counterparts reaffirmed their time-tested and all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and agreed to maintain regular two-way high-level political and official exchanges.

They expressed commitment to translate the vision of the leadership to build a closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era. The two sides reaffirmed support to each other on all core issues of their national interest.

They underlined that state sovereignty and territorial integrity were cardinal principles of UN Charter and international law. Wang called for de-escalation of tensions in South Asia and underlined the need for dialogue and peaceful means to resolve all outstanding disputes.

It was noted China and Pakistan were celebrating 2019 as the year of sister-cities exchanges. The two foreign ministers agreed to continue the smooth implementation of CPEC projects, especially its Special Economic Zones. While rejecting the negative propaganda against the CPEC, they expressed a strong resolve to safeguard the multi-billion-dollar project from all kinds of threats.

They agreed to enhance cooperation against terrorism by strengthening communication and coordination. The two foreign ministers discussed the Afghanistan situation and expressed support for the ongoing efforts for peace and reconciliation.

Both sides reiterated support for Afghan-owned, Afghan-led inclusive peace process and called on all stakeholders in Afghanistan to become part of an intra-Afghan dialogue. They also urged all sides to show flexibility to find a durable solution to the conflict.

They expressed their support for consensus-based reform of the United Nations so that it responds to the interests and concerns of all member states.Qureshi also called on Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan and briefed him about CPEC’s progress. He also told him Prime Minister Khan was looking forward to visit them next month to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum.

The Chinese vice president assured Qureshi of China’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and for its socio-economic development. Qureshi also briefed the vice president on the recent developments in the region. The foreign minister is on a visit to China for the inaugural round of Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue.