China, Pakistan reaffirm to ensure high-quality development of CPEC

On May 11, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a virtual meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.Wang Yi congratulated Bilawal on taking up the post as Foreign Minister, saying that each and every political party in the new coalition government of Pakistan is an active participant and staunch defender of China-Pakistan friendship. Developing amicable relations with China has always been a common perception in Pakistan that transcends all political differences and enjoys a high degree of agreement throughout the country. What’s more, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has long-term friendly exchanges with China and is a trustworthy old friend and good friend. The People’s Party you lead, especially the Bhutto family, has always been a staunch force supporting China-Pakistan friendship. I believe that China-Pakistan relations will be further developed, traditional friendship will be further carried forward, and China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership will take new steps.

Wang Yi said, China and Pakistan are unique and time-tested all-weather strategic cooperative partners. The friendship between the two sides will be passed on from generation to generation and will not be shaken or changed by a single event. China will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and dignity and in its commitment to development and national rejuvenation. China believes that Pakistan will also firmly continue to stand with China on all issues concerning China’s core interests. China is ready to seek greater synergy between the two countries’ development strategies, support Pakistan in maintaining economic and financial stability, and build a high-quality China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) together. The two sides should not only properly operate and construct existing important projects, but also carry out more livelihood projects, so that the CPEC can better benefit the people along the route and achieve the goal of high standard, sustainable and people-centered development. China is ready to hold a new round of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee meeting with Pakistan in due course, and ensure sound implementation of the Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation between China and Pakistan, so as to help Pakistan’s industrialization and enhance the momentum and resilience of its economic development.

Bilawal said, he is very glad that his first official bilateral activity since taking office is to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister. Pakistan-China friendship is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and a strategic priority, and the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership is rock-solid. Both the ruling and opposition parties firmly support Pakistan-China friendship, which is a consensus among the Pakistani people. No matter what difficulties and challenges we may face, Pakistan-China friendship is unbreakable. Pakistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports China’s positions on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang and the South China Sea, among others. Economic cooperation between Pakistan and China has been fruitful, and Pakistan thanks China for its tremendous support and help for Pakistan’s economic and social development. Pakistan fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative, especially the CPEC construction. Pakistan hopes to further expand Pakistan-China economic cooperation, boost trade exchanges, attract more Chinese investment, push for more achievements in the CPEC construction, and deepen capacity cooperation, so as to help Pakistan realize agricultural and industrial modernization.

The two sides also mainly exchanged views on the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan.

Wang Yi pointed out, after the terrorist attack on a van of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi on April 26, Pakistani President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, leaders of various parties and people from all sectors unanimously condemned the terrorist attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz visited the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan to convey condolences at the earliest opportunity and sent a letter of condolence to Chinese leaders. The Pakistani cabinet has decided to take unprecedented measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Pakistan. China fully recognizes this.

Wang Yi stressed, over a period of time, Pakistan has seen a series of terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals, causing heavy casualties. The Chinese government and Chinese leaders attach great importance to this, and the Chinese society and people pay close attention to it. China and Pakistan should take immediate action and adopt firm and effective measures to deal with it. The pressing task is to speed up the investigation and hunting down of the perpetrators and give exemplary punishment to them as soon as possible. Targeted measures should be taken to improve security protection for Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan. Efforts should be made to give timely security warnings, and plug security loopholes so as to prevent similar incidents from happening again. China will continue to support Pakistan in enhancing its counter-terrorism capacity, and stands ready to make joint efforts with Pakistan to thwart any attempt to undermine China-Pakistan relations.

Bilawal said, Pakistan condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi. An attack on our Chinese brothers and sisters is an attack on the Pakistani people. Pakistan firmly opposes all terrorist acts, and will make a thorough investigation of the case and bring all criminals to justice. Terrorists are targeting Pakistan-China friendship, and Pakistan will never let them have their way. Pakistani intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies are working around the clock and will spare no efforts to arrest criminals and prevent similar incidents from happening again in the future. Pakistan is ready to strengthen cooperation with China to improve Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capacity and ensure the safety of all Chinese citizens in Pakistan.