ISLAMABAD – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday said Pakistan considers relations with China of utmost importance and appreciates its support for economic development.
She was talking to Minister of the International Department, Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) here at the Foreign Office. Issues pertaining to bilateral relations, regional and global issues of mutual interest were discussed.
The Minister highlighted the importance of Chinese investments in Pakistan’s mega strategic projects, noted support to country’s economic development and urged further consolidation of their economic partnership. Khar said both countries enjoy complete trust and convergence of views on all bilateral, regional and international issues. She appreciated the frequent exchanges of visits between the two countries at various levels. Pakistan supports “One China” policy.
The Vice Minister stated that Pakistan and China were close and all weather friends and remarked that the two countries may enhance this unique relationship through frequent people to people interactions and public diplomacy.
He mentioned his interaction with various political parties and mentioned opening ceremony of Chinese language classes in a private school system. Pakistan and China enjoy a multifaceted and multidimensional strategic partnership, based on mutual trust and mutuality of interests. Strengthening of cooperation with China is one of the key principles guiding Pakistan’s foreign policy.
The two countries have declared 2011 as the Friendship Year. A comprehensive action plan to celebrate the Friendship Year has been chalked out, focusing on wider interaction between the two countries’ leadership and the people through joint activities and exchanges.
