Pakistan, China vow to promote regional peace, cooperation

Pakistan and China on Friday resolved to promote policies aimed at advancing the cause of peace, cooperation and harmony and creating a win-win situation in the region.

In a joint statement issued after a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to pursue people-centric policies that could mitigate poverty, promote social and economic development and diminish the roots of conflict.

During the meeting, Nawaz reaffirmed the strong commitment of his government to further promote and deepen the bilateral strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan.

The Chinese leaders appreciated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for choosing China as his first destination for his foreign visit.

Nawaz underscored that the recent political transition in Pakistan was a historic development which would create political cohesion, social stability, and internal growth.

“It will also improve governance and lead to sound macro-economic management thus creating an enabling environment for foreign investment in Pakistan,” he observed.

The two sides reviewed with satisfaction the development of China-Pakistan relations and were of the view that this relationship had acquired growing strategic significance in the emerging dynamics of 21st century.

Both sides decided to continue deepening the Sino-Pakistan strategic partnership in the new era.

The two leaders appreciated that Asia was the engine of global economic growth and more than forty percent of the global population resided in this vibrant and dynamic region.

Both countries decided to further deepen practical cooperation in all sectors and strengthen coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues.

It was been agreed under the guiding principles of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-Neighborly Relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed in April 2005 and on the basis of the existing close cooperation.

In addition to the above, China also reaffirmed that its relationship with Pakistan was always a matter of highest priority in its foreign policy, and it would continue to strengthen this strategic partnership. China appreciated Pakistan’s long-term, staunch support on issues concerning China’s core interests.

China vowed to continue extending its full support to Pakistan in the latter’s efforts to uphold its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while respecting the development path chosen by the people according to its national priority, and support Pakistan in maintaining social stability and economic development.

Pakistan reiterated that friendship with China was the cornerstone of its foreign policy, enjoying a national consensus and appreciated the support and assistance of the Chinese government and people for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socio-economic development.

“Pakistan will continue to adhere to its one-China policy, oppose Taiwan and Tibet’s independence and support China’s efforts in combating the “Three Evils” of extremism, terrorism and separatism. We regard ETIM as our common threat and stand united in combating this menace,” the Pakistani prime minister resolved.

The two sides believed that maintaining the tradition of frequent exchange of visits and meetings between their leadership and fully leveraging arrangements such as annual meetings between their leaders, is of great importance in advancing bilateral relations.

They also agreed to enhance the role of mechanisms such as foreign ministers’ dialogue, strategic dialogue and other consultative mechanisms between the relevant ministries and departments, so as to strengthen the strategic communication and coordination between the two countries.

The two countries reaffirmed that expanding bilateral economic relations was a matter of high priority and agreed that China was committed to realising the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation by accelerating the transformation of the pattern of economic development and earnestly pursuing the strategy to develop its western region.

Meanwhile, Pakistan expressed commitment to reviving the national economy and realizing its “Asian Tiger dream”. The development strategies of the two countries, therefore, coincided with each other.

Both sides decided to further strengthen the ties of pragmatic cooperation between them, with a view to translating their high-level political relationship into wider economic dividends. To this end, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, mining, food security, environment, finance and other fields.

Both Pakistan and China agreed to fully implement the Additional Agreement to Extend the Five Year Development Programme on China – Pakistan Trade and Economic Cooperation and the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement; fast track work on the projects identified under the Five Year Development Programme; hold the second phase of tax-reduction negotiations of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement on speedy basis; further liberalise trade, and advance economic integration between them.

It was also resolved that enhancing connectivity between China and Pakistan is of great importance to expanding economic and trade cooperation, promoting economic integration, and fostering economic development of the two countries.

In order to develop the long-term Plan for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, both sides agreed to set up the Joint Cooperation Committee on the Long-Term Plan for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the Planning and Development Ministry of Pakistan as leading ministries, and secretariats established in both ministries.

The two leaders agreed to start work on the Long-term Plan for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on speedy basis. The plan will mainly include such areas of cooperation as connectivity construction, economic and technical cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and exchanges between local governments and organisations.

They agreed to focus on the following areas of cooperation in the near future under the framework of the Long-Term Plan for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: start the China-Pakistan Cross-border Fiber Optic Cable project at an appropriate time, upgrade and realign the Karakoram Highway on fast-track basis, explore cooperation on solar energy and biomass energy, explore construction of industrial parks along the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, launch at an early date inter-governmental consultations to implement the Digital Television Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB) in Pakistan, coordinate the commercial operation of TD-LTE in Pakistan, and enhance cooperation in the wireless broadband area.

It was agreed that both sides will support enterprises of the two countries in conducting cooperation on establishment of industrial zones in Gwadar.