PM Khan calls President Xi, reaffirms solidarity with China

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday called President Xi Jinping of China expressed Pakistan’s unequivocal solidarity with the Chinese leadership in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

“Prime Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the precious lives lost due to the outbreak of the virus,” said a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The death toll from the outbreak jumped to 2,118 on Thursday after 114 new deaths were reported – most in Hubei province, the hard-hit epicentre of the outbreak. However, China reported the biggest drop in new cases from coronavirus in nearly a month.

China’s National Health Commission said that more than 74,500 people have now been infected nationwide by the virus, which first emerged in central Hubei province in December.

During the telephonic conversation between the two allied leaders, the premier praised the “relentless efforts undertaken by China for containing and controlling Coronavirus and underscored that the people and the Government of Pakistan stood firmly behind China in its decisive efforts to fight and eliminate the virus”.

The Prime Minister Office further added that the prime minister also emphasised the timely and effective measures taken by Islamabad’s northern neighbour after the virus emerged late last year.

He also reiterated Pakistan’s offer of assistance – a field hospital along with a team of doctors – to help Beijing combat the outbreak.

While underscoring Pakistan’s full trust in measures being taken by the Chinese authorities, the Prime Minister expressed complete confidence that the Chinese nation under the inspiring leadership of President Xi will emerge stronger and victorious in the aftermath of Covid-19.

PM Imran further expressed confidence that China will take best-possible measures for the welfare of Pakistani national and students in the country.

The Chinese president assured the premier that Beijing is treating Pakistani students “as our own” and added that the country will spare no effort in ensuring their health and wellbeing, added the PMO.

In reference to bilateral relations between the two countries, President Xi assured of China’s commitment to taking the economic partnership between the countries to a “new level”. He also stressed that CPEC forms the “strongest centre-piece” of this partnership.

Both leaders also shared their resolve to continue to have communication and exchanges at the highest level to strengthen the strategic cooperative partnership.