Pakistan and China have stressed that any attempt to dent their bilateral ties are doomed to failure.
In a joint statement issued during President Asif Ali Zardari’s ongoing official visit to China, both states noted that the China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership enjoyed broad support from all walks of life in both countries.
Undertaken at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, the visit spans Feb. 4-8. During the visit, President Zardari will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Ninth Asian Winter Games. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar are accompanying him. Apart from his Chinese counterpart, President Zardari also met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji.
According to the statement, the two presidents exchanged views on Pak-China ties as well as international and regional issues of mutual interests. They said the “ironclad” friendship between the two states transcended geopolitical interests and was an important positive factor for regional peace, stability and development.
Stressing that the Pak-China relationship remains of strategic significance, both sides said any attempt to disrupt or undermine it is bound to fail. The Chinese side reiterated that it prioritizes its ties with Pakistan, while the Pakistani delegation underscored that the relationship was a cornerstone of its foreign policy. Both sides vowed to continue efforts to build closer ties for their common prosperity and the peace and development of the region.
During their meetings, the Pakistani side expressed strong support for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative of President Xi. Both sides agreed to expand international cooperation to jointly tackle global challenges and foster a community with a shared future for mankind.
According to the statement, Pakistan also hailed China’s modernization, while Beijing commended Islamabad’s economic reforms and hoped for the country’s stability, security, development and prosperity. They also reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on issues of core interests and major concerns. Pakistan expressed firm commitment to the One China policy, resolutely opposing any form of “Taiwan independence.” Similarly, China reiterated its firm support for Pakistan in defending its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Terrorism
During their meetings, Pakistan reiterated its strongest condemnation of terrorist attacks in Pakistan involving Chinese personnel. It stressed that ensuring the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan was Islamabad’s foremost responsibility and appreciated the contributions of Chinese nationals to Pakistan’s development.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to tackling terrorism in all its forms and manifestations with zero-tolerance, and agreed to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on counter terrorism. The Pakistani side pledged to effectively probe all attacks on Chinese nationals on its soil and take targeted measures to ensure their safety. The Chinese side appreciated Pakistan’s unremitting efforts and tremendous sacrifices in combating terrorism, and expressed its willingness to provide necessary support for Pakistan’s counter terrorism capacity building.
On the Belt and Road Initiative, both sides agreed to build a growth corridor to create an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, in line with Pakistan’s 5Es framework. In this regard, both sides agreed to hold the 14th CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee meeting as soon as possible. Both sides stressed on expediting the upgradation of ML-1 in a phased and secure manner and stressedon the importance of the Karakoram Highway (Raikot-Thakot) realignment project.
Investment
During the meetings, the Chinese side reiterated its support to Pakistan’s industrialization and development of export-oriented industries. It said it encourages Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan’s qualified Special Economic Zones based on market and business principles. The two sides also agreed to further strengthen agricultural cooperation under the CPEC framework.
Both sides further agreed to enhance cooperation on information technology and promote policy and talent exchanges in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, big data and communication technology. In this regard, China said it would encourage its technology companies to actively expand their businesses in Pakistan to accelerate science and technology cooperation and develop an innovation corridor.
The two sides agreed to conduct further consultation on trade liberalization under the framework of the Phase-II of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, and actively explore the possible bilateral concessional arrangements based on the spirit of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
Defense cooperation
Both sides underscored that strategic defense and security cooperation between them was critical for maintaining peace, stability and strategic balance in the region. They agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level military-to-military visits and exchanges, and to continuously elevate cooperation in areas of joint training, exercises and military technology.
Stressing that a peaceful and prosperous South Asia was in the interest of all parties, they stressed on the need to resolve all outstanding disputes. The Pakistani side briefed China on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir, with Beijing reiterating that the dispute should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the U.N. Charter, relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements.
Both sides also pledged to maintain close communication and coordination on Afghanistan, and play a constructive role in helping it achieve stable development and integrate into the international community. They urged the interim Afghan government to take visible and verifiable actions to dismantle and eliminate all terrorist groups based on its soil, noting they continued to pose a serious threat to regional and global security.
Both sides welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and hoped it would be implemented effectively, leading to a full and permanent ceasefire. They also reaffirmed their support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including their right to establish an independent State of Palestine.
During the meetings, more than a dozen documents covering cooperation on CPEC, trade, science and technology, people’s livelihoods, and media, etc were inked between the two sides.
President Zardari expressed appreciation to President Xi and the Chinese government and people for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He also invited President Xi to visit Pakistan at a mutually-convenient time.