Security urged for building corridor

The Chinese and Pakistani armies should resolutely crack down on terrorist forces to ensure security in building the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

While meeting in Beijing with Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Xi said that the two armies should deepen exchanges at all levels and cooperation in various areas, and provide reliable security guarantees for common interests and development of both countries.

China appreciates the support and security guarantees provided by Pakistan for construction of the Belt and Road and the corridor, Xi said.

With strong mutual trust and concrete measures, the construction of the corridor will be successful and will benefit the peoples of the two countries, he added.

China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic and cooperative partners as well as "iron friends", he said, adding that China has always attached great importance to their ties and both sides have maintained mutual trust over each other's major concerns.

Xi called upon the countries to continue strengthening coordination and cooperation in international and regional issues and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests.

Bajwa said that Pakistan firmly supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and no matter how the situation changes, relations with China are always the priority of Pakistan's diplomacy.

Pakistan is willing to further strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation with the Chinese army, jointly improve the ability to deal with security challenges and safeguard common interests and strategic security of the two countries, he said.