Pakistan Foreign Minister Qureshi meets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Huangshan
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a bilateral meeting with the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Huangshan city of Tunxi District of China on March 30.
Foreign Minister Qureshi is visiting China to attend the Third Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries. He is accompanied by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq.
The two foreign ministers exchanged views on:
- Bilateral strategic
- Economic and security cooperation
- COVID-19 pandemic
- Peace, stability and development in Afghanistan
- Regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed that the “relations with China were the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and reaffirmed the Government’s resolve to further deepen the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s firm adherence to the “One-China” Policy and continued support on issues of China’s core interests and thanked China for its consistent support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, political stability and socio-economic development.
Recalling the recent high-level exchanges between the two sides, including the Prime Minister’s visit to China in February 2022 for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics and State Councilor Wang Yi’s visit to Islamabad to attend the OIC – Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting as a special guest, Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed satisfaction at the steady upward trajectory of Pakistan-China relations.
He highlighted that the leaders’ consensus was translating into high-quality development of CPEC Phase-II, and burgeoning cooperation in diverse areas of cooperation like industrial development, agricultural modernization and information technology.
The Foreign Minister thanked China for hosting the meetings on Afghanistan. He emphasized deeper engagement between Pakistan and China, as well as Afghanistan’s other neighbors, to promote peace, stability and development in the country and facilitate regional connectivity through the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. Highlighting Pakistan’s position calling for the immediate cessation of hostility, provision of humanitarian assistance and continued efforts for a solution through dialogue and diplomacy, the Foreign Minister conveyed readiness to help facilitate a diplomatic solution including through the OIC platform.
In his meeting with the Pakistani foreign minister, Chinese FM Wang Yi said that China will continue to view and promote China-Pakistan relations from a strategic and long-term perspective. “China will, as always, support Pakistan in defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. We will be Pakistan’s most reliable partner and staunchest supporter” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.