Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar called on Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on Wednesday, with the two leaders vowing to jointly work for the elimination of terrorism and extremism from the region.
Hina is on her first visit to China since assuming office last month. Jiabao welcomed the foreign minister to China and said the foreign minister’s decision to make her first official visit to China reflected her commitment to further strengthen the friendship between the two countries. He said the time-tested and all-weather friendship between the two countries was founded on the common principles of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.
Hina said Pakistan-China relationship was without parallel in the world of inter-state relations and the two countries enjoyed complete convergence of interest on all bilateral issues, as well as international issues of mutual importance. She praised China for its invaluable assistance in helping Pakistan achieve economic and development goals. The Chinese prime minister praised Pakistan’s unwavering support on issues of China’s core interests such as Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
He recalled with fond memories his visit to Pakistan in December last year, saying the warm hospitality he received from the people of Pakistan had touched him deeply. Jiabao reiterated China’s unconditional support to Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and renewed China’s commitment to help Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction efforts.
He also reaffirmed China’s support for Pakistan’s efforts in preserving national stability and promoting social and economic development. Jiabao called on the two sides to promote the sustainable development of the Pakistani economy and to expand cooperation in trade, investment and technology sectors. The foreign minister said China’s principled and forthright expression of support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts had been a source of strength to the people of Pakistan.
Hina also met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi later in the day. The two leaders had detailed discussions on bilateral relationship, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang extended a very warm welcome to Hina on her first visit to China as the foreign minister. Hina said her decision to make China the destination of first bilateral visit as the Pakistani foreign minister was reflective of the unique ties that existed between the two countries.
It also demonstrated the importance she attached to pushing forward strategic partnership between Pakistan and China.
The Chinese foreign minister called the Pakistan-China friendship an exemplary relationship of perfect trust and cooperation between two developing countries. He appreciated Pakistan’s firm and consistent support to China on its core issues namely. Yang reiterated China’s support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and said China recognised the efforts and sacrifices being made by Pakistan in the global struggle against terrorism.
The two foreign ministers vowed to work together to rid the region of terrorism and extremism. Hina said Pakistan would continue to work closely with China against terrorism, extremism and separatism, which posed a serious threat to both nation’s values and social harmony. The two leaders noted with satisfaction that there was growing cooperation between the two countries across a broad range of areas. They agreed that there was potential for expanding the economic dimension of the bilateral relationship.
In this regard, they decided to focus on closer cooperation in key areas including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, communication, finance and banking. The two ministers also agreed to consult each other on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Yang hailed the China-Pakistan relationship as a “high-quality strategic cooperative partnership”, saying the two countries were close neighbours and had forged an all-weather friendship. Yang said China would continue to stand by Pakistan in safeguarding its national stability and developing its economy.
It is nice to crate a good relationship between two countries.I hope she will work her level best for the welfare of her country.
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