Chinese FM terms Pak-China ties time-tested, vows to provide medical support in lieu of COVID

On the evening of March 22, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the latter’s request.

On behalf of the Pakistani government and people, Shah Mahmood Qureshi extended warm congratulations on China’s successful convening of the two sessions and its decisive victory of eradicating extreme poverty, and expressed his hope and belief that the all-weather strategic partnership of cooperation between Pakistan and China will be lifted to a new level. Shah Mahmood Qureshi also introduced Wang Yi to Pakistan’s response to the third wave of COVID-19, and expressed his hope for continuous support from the Chinese side in purchasing Chinese vaccines.

Wang Yi said that the friendship between China and Pakistan has stood the test of time, and the two countries carry forward the good tradition of helping each other in times of difficulty. To demonstrate the ironclad friendship between the two countries, China has decided to provide Pakistan with another batch of vaccines, and continue to prioritize China’s vaccine assistance and export to Pakistan. In the face of this once-in-a-century pandemic, China will stand firmly with the Pakistani side until the final victory against the pandemic.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked China’s selfless assistance, and said his country has rolled out a nationwide inoculation plan, and is administering vaccines for frontline health workers and vulnerable groups. The vaccine assistance and export from China will play an essential role in protecting the Pakistani people’s lives and health.