FM Bilawal thanks China for ‘unconditional support’ to Pakistan at global fora

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on Saturday stressed the importance of “peace and stability in Afghanistan” for the region’s socio-economic development and vowed to work together with all stakeholders, including China, towards its achievement.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang in Islamabad, Bilawal said: “In our dialogue today, we also noted the peace and stability in Afghanistan remains vital for socio-economic development, connectivity and prosperity in the region.

“We will continue to work together with all stakeholders for peaceful, stable, prosperous and united Afghanistan,” he asserted.

A day ago, Chinese and Afghan foreign ministers arrived in Islamabad to participate in bilateral and trilateral meetings on a range of issues, including security and the economy.

The Chinese minister — who is on a two-day visit — called on President Arif Alvi, where both sides resolved to work together to promote regional peace and prosperity as well as jointly cope with external challenges.

Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi — who is on a four-day visit — will also participate in some bilateral meetings along with the fifth China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue.

Muttaqi’s visit is a continuation of Pakistan’s political engagement with Afghanistan, which, among other things, included Khar’s visit to Kabul in November last year and a visit of a high-level delegation led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in February.

Earlier today, Bilawal appreciated China’s “principled and just stance” on the issue of India-occupied Kashmir (IOK) as well as its “firm support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity”.

Addressing a delegation-level meeting with China at the Foreign Office (FO), Bilawal said, “We deeply appreciate China’s firm support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and national development as well as China’s principled and just stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”

He reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for China “on all its core issues, including One-China policy, Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and the South China Sea”.

The minister stressed upon the importance of Pak-China relations: “There is absolute unison when it comes to the Pak-China strategic partnership. I can assure Your Excellency that this sentiment is shared by everyone in Pakistan for China.

“China can always count on Pakistan as its most reliable partner and trusted friend,” Bilawal asserted.