President Mamnoon Hussain and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed on Thursday to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
At a bilateral meeting, Xi said that China backs Pakistan in practicing a counter-terrorism strategy based on its national conditions and is willing to enhance bilateral security cooperation to safeguard the peace and stability of the two countries and the region.
Hussain said that the “East Turkestan” terrorism forces are a common enemy of Pakistan and China and vowed to make joint efforts with China to combat the terrorists.
“Pakistan will take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and projects in the country,” Hussain said.
Xi hailed the recent development of China-Pakistan relations and said he is willing to pay a state visit to Pakistan at a proper time to push strategic coordination and pragmatic cooperation to a new stage.
Hussain said that Sino-Pak friendship is the foundation of Pakistani foreign relations. “Pakistan appreciates China’s long-term support,” he said, stressing that the government and the people expect Xi to visit the country at an early date.
ECONOMIC COOPERATION: Xi called on the two countries to jointly promote the construction of the China-Pakistan economic corridor, an important part of the Silk Road economic belt and the 21st century maritime Silk Road. He urged the two sides to ensure the operation of joint projects in Pakistan’s Gwadar port and Lahore Metro.
Hailing the Pakistan-China economic corridor, Hussain said Pakistan is willing to create good conditions for projects and hopes the two sides will enhance cooperation in electricity.
Giving details of the meeting, Press Secretary to the President Saba Mohsin Raza said that the two leaders discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the current state of China–Pakistan Economic corridor project and urged for expeditious completion of the already identified and mutually agreed projects of the economic corridor. They observed that the gigantic project would turn the entire region into a vibrant trade, energy and economic corridor besides boosting Pak- China bilateral trade to new heights.
The two presidents also witnessed the signing of the framework agreement between China and Pakistan on Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi, Secretary Foreign Affairs Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary and Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid were also present at the meeting.
President Mamnoon congratulated his Chinese counterpart on assuming the Chair of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and successful holding of the 4th CICA Summit. He expressed confidence that under the able and dynamic leadership of President Jinping, the forum will be further strengthened and would continue to play a more meaningful role in peace and development in Asia, and beyond and assured Pakistan’s support to his initiatives in this regard.