China Pakistan Relations Remain the Top Priority of Neighborhood Diplomacy: President Xi

Beijing — Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that no matter how the international situation changes, China has always placed its relations with Pakistan as a top priority in its neighborhood diplomacy.

During a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, President Xi noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 75 years ago, the two countries have maintained an unbreakable traditional friendship. He said strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation between the two sides have effectively contributed to each other’s development.

Referring to a letter sent by Pakistani students studying at Tianjin University, in which they expressed their commitment to becoming builders of China Pakistan cooperation, promoters of exchanges and guardians of friendship, President Xi said he was pleased to see that the cause of bilateral friendship has successors.

Xi made it clear that China will firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said China is ready to maintain high level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication and keep bilateral relations moving in the right direction.

President Xi called for steadily advancing the action plan for building a China Pakistan community with a shared future, coordinating the construction of major projects as well as “small yet beautiful” livelihood projects, and expanding broad cooperation in areas such as agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence and human resource development. He also stressed that the two sides should carry out high level and wide ranging security cooperation to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Prime Minister Sharif said President Xi is not only a great friend of the Pakistani people, but also of all peace loving people around the world. He noted that the remarkable achievements of China’s economy provide strong assurance for maintaining world peace and building a multipolar world.

Expressing Pakistan’s firm commitment to the one China principle, Sharif said Pakistan will unwaveringly support China’s position on all issues concerning China’s core interests. He stated that Pakistan will always remain China’s good friend and partner. Pakistan, he said, is ready to deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and advance the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Sharif also expressed gratitude for China’s support for Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the United States Iran talks. He said President Xi’s four proposals on the Middle East provide a guiding framework for regional peace. Pakistan, he added, is willing to maintain close coordination with China in promoting world peace and stability.