Monitoring Desk:
Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday met with his Chinese counterpart during the foreign ministers strategic dialogue at the Chinese province of Hainan.
Qureshi, who is accompanied on the two-day official visit by senior officials, led the Pakistani delegation in the strategic dialogue while the Chinese side was led by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the coronavirus pandemic, bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, according to a joint press release issued after the dialogue. They also “reached consensus to collectively take measures to safeguard their common interests and promote peace, prosperity, and development in the region”, the statement said.
While reiterating that the ‘China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ is beneficial to international and regional peace and stability, the two sides showed commitment for enhancing mutual strategic trust, strengthening cooperation, maintaining the momentum of high-level exchanges, further advancing the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, promoting bilateral relationship to a higher level, and delivering greater benefits to both countries and the two peoples.
According to the press release, the Chinese side reiterated that Pakistan and China are “iron brothers” and Pakistan remains China’s “staunchest partner” in the region and that Beijing firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
The Pakistani side, meanwhile, reaffirmed its support to China on affairs concerning China’s core interests and issues of major concern “such as those related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong”.
