Chinese FM meets Pakistani counterpart

ISLAMABAD - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who is on an official visit in Pakistan, held a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar here on Tuesday.

Yang Jiechi said that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners and China-Pakistan special friendship has withstood repeated tests. Under the current situation, the significance of the China-Pakistan's relationship becomes more strategically prominent, he said.

He said that the Chinese government will unswervingly pursue the policy of further strengthening friendship with Pakistan and is willing to work together with Pakistan to maintain, pass on and improve the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Promoting the China-Pakistan friendship is not only in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples, but also promotes the world peace, stability and development. The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Pakistani side to deepen the practical cooperation, strengthen the strategic coordination and bring the China-Pakistan relationship to a new height.

The Chinese side appreciates the important and active role played by Pakistan in international and regional affairs, he added.

The international community should understand the enormous sacrifices made by Pakistan in the international campaign against terrorism and render support for the country, Yang said.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister said that Pakistan-China friendship has become an example of relationship between countries. The Pakistani government and people attach great importance to developing relations with China and are grateful to the firm support rendered by China to Pakistan for focusing on its economic development and improving the lives of its people, she said.

The Pakistani side is satisfied with the progress of bilateral cooperation in various fields including energy, infrastructure and agriculture.

She also said that the Pakistani side hopes to broaden exchanges among the young people from the two countries, and carry forward the tradition of Pakistan-China all-weather friendship.

Both sides agreed to further deepen the practical cooperation in all fields including infrastructure, agriculture reconstruction and energy, to help Pakistan achieve stronger sustainable development ability and better realize common development. They also agreed to increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges, to strengthen multilateral coordination and to safeguard the common interests of both sides.  

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern and reached a wide range of consensus.

Following the meeting, Yang and his counterpart met the reporters.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi arrived in Islamabad on May 29, at the invitation of Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar.