- Mamnoon, Xi meet in Tashkent on the sidelines of SCO summit
- President thanks China for supporting Pak in its resolve to achieve NSG membership
- Says Pak supports China’s position on issues concerning South China Sea, Taiwan
President Mamnoon Hussain met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Thursday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
During the meeting, both the leaders held discussions on Pakistan and India’s requests for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the flagship project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a Chinese News Agency reported.
The two sides agreed to work together for regional peace and stability, and observed that discrimination should not be carried out in grant of NSG membership. They were of the view that balance of power in the region would be distorted if only India was approved for NSG membership. The leaders also said that no compromise would be made on the flagship project of CPEC.
President Mamnoon, on the occasion, thanked China for supporting Pakistan in its resolve to achieve membership of the NSG and SCO, and appreciated China’s stance on membership of the NSG for aspiring countries.
The president said Pakistan firmly supported China’s principles and position on issues concerning the South China Sea as well as Taiwan and Tibe. He said Pakistan stood by its one China Policy.
He also lauded China’s stance on Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity and its condemnation of a recent drone strike in Balochistan.
Mamnoon said that strategic partnership was present between Pakistan and China, and reiterated that no compromise would be made on the CPEC. He said Pakistan was committed to completion of the various projects under the CPEC and would begin developmental work in the selected industrial zones in the current year. The president said there was no place in Pakistan for the enemies of China.
He also observed that Pakistan and China’s friendship had remained firm despite difficulties and trials.