–President Xi appreciates Pakistan’s role as new SCO member
–Khawaja Asif says both countries to further enhance and deepen bilateral cooperation
BEIJING: Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif along with foreign ministers of other member countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall on Monday.
Welcoming the foreign ministers of SCO member countries, President Xi said that the organisation sets a new pilot model for mutual respect, as well as a just, fair, win-win relationship, since its founding 17 years ago.
President Xi Jinping specifically underlined the close friendship between China and Pakistan and appreciated Pakistan’s role as a new member of the SCO.
Khawaja Asif conveyed the warm sentiments of the friendship and brotherhood between the people of Pakistan and China.
He highlighted that Pakistan and China were ‘all-weather strategic cooperative partners’ who are bound together with strong ties of eternal mutual trust and respect.
Appreciating the common vision of a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood, the foreign minister underscored the importance of President Xi’s vision of the Belt and Road Initiative
which has received wide-scale international support.
He highlighted that Pakistan and China together have proven the viability of the initiative through its flagship project, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj of India, Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov of Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldayev of
Kyrgyzstan, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia, Foreign Minister Sirodjidin Aslov of Tajikistan, Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov of Uzbekistan, Secretary-General of the SCO Rashid Alimov and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Yevgeniy Sysoyev were present.
KHURRAM DASTGIR MEETS PRESIDENT XI:
Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan also called on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall on Monday.
The defence ministers of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and ambassador of India were present during the joint meeting.
Both Asif and Dastgir are currently on a two-day visit to attend the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting. The meeting will finalise the preparations for the forthcoming SCO Heads of State Council in Qingdao.
The SCO is an important forum for global and regional peace and security, and for the promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation between member states.
The SCO, an inter-governmental organisation, founded in China’s Shanghai on June 15, 2001,
now includes China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and India as full members. Pakistan and India were admitted as full members of the organisation at the summit in Astana last year.
CHINA REASSURES PAK AHEAD OF XI-MODI MEETING:
China on Monday reassured Pakistan that relations between the two countries were as firm as ever and would “never rust”, ahead of a meeting this week between President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that could unnerve Islamabad.
China and Pakistan like to call each other “all-weather friends” and their traditionally close ties have long been viewed with suspicion by Pakistan’s neighbour and traditional enemy, India.
But Modi has tried to reset relations with Beijing after years of disagreements over everything from their border to exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and will hold an informal summit with Xi on Friday and Saturday in China.
China will continue to firmly support Pakistan, its top diplomat, State Councillor Wang Yi, said Pakistan’s foreign minister at a meeting in Beijing.
“We are ready to work together with our Pakistani brothers to undertake the historical mission of national rejuvenation and achieve the great dream of national prosperity and development,” Wang said.
“In this way, our iron friendship with Pakistan will never rust and be tempered into steel.”
There was no mention of the Xi-Modi meeting in comments made in front of reporters.
PAK-CHINA PLEDGE TO WORK FOR REGIONAL STABILITY THROUGH SCO:
Pakistan and China also resolved to further enhance and deepen the bilateral cooperation with the pledge to play a key role for regional stability through Shanghai Coordination Cooperation (SCO).
This was stated by Khawaja Asif after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting held at Diaoyutai State Guest House.
The foreign minister said that during the meeting which was held in a very cordial atmosphere, his Chinese counterpart termed Pakistan and China as close friends, all-weather strategic and cooperative partners.
Wang Yi also appreciated Pakistan’s active participation in SCO and expressed China’s strong support to Pakistan’s efforts in enhancing regional peace and cooperation besides its tireless efforts in countering terrorism in the country, he added.
The foreign minister highly appreciated the vibrant role of SCO in the region and said that it was a significantly vital forum for regional cooperation.
He said that Pakistan was looking forward to a productive and fruitful meeting of the heads of states of the SCO at Qingdao in June this year. President Mamnoon Hussain would also participate in the summit.
The foreign minister also expressed his appreciation for the Chinese initiative of Pakistan-China-Afghanistan Foreign Ministers Trilateral Mechanism for enhancing cooperation with Afghanistan.
He also apprised Wang Yi of the grave situation prevailing in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK).
He congratulated Wing Yi on his re-election as the foreign minister and his elevation as the state councilor.
He also congratulated him on the re-election of Xi Jinping as the president of People’s Republic of China and as the core leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Khawaja Asif also informed him about Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s visit to China earlier this month and his participation in the successful and productive Boao Forum for Asia conference.
“In his speech, the prime minister lauded the visionary address of President Xi at Boao Forum based on the principle of shared prosperity and win-win cooperation. The two leaders also held a highly productive bilateral meeting there,” he added.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid and other senior diplomats of the two countries were also present.