Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit to Pakistan

The Foreign Minister of China, Mr. Wang Yi, paid an official visit to Pakistan on 12-13 February 2015. He was accompanied by a seven-member delegation. This was Mr. Wang Yi’s first official visit to Pakistan as Foreign Minister. The main purpose of his visit was to prepare for the upcoming visit of the President of China, H.E. Mr. Xi Jinping, at an early date this year.

During the visit, the Chinese Foreign Minister called on President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He also had meetings with the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, and the Chief of the Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif.

The President, in his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, stated that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with China. He noted that Pakistan-China friendship was a factor of stability in the region. Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed with the President, describing Pakistan-China friendship as deep-rooted and irreplaceable. Later, at a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President conferred the Hilal-e-Pakistanawardon Mr. Wang Yi in recognition of his invaluable contribution to the promotion of relations between Pakistan and China.

The Prime Minister, during his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, said the leadership of both countries is committed to further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. He noted that wide-ranging economic cooperation between Pakistan and China had entered a new dimension. It was vital for the two countries to translate their shared vision for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into a reality. Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed that there was a need for speedy implementation of the CPEC and other vital projects, which would transform the entire region.

In the delegation-level talks between the Adviser and the Chinese Foreign Minister, the two sides reviewed all aspects of the bilateral relationship. It was agreed that work on the CPEC-related projects should be expedited to ensure that Early Harvest Projects could be operationalized at the earliest. The two sides also took stock of regional developments and agreed on the need for maintaining strategic balance in South Asia. The Adviser reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a peaceful neighborhood in order to achieve its economic and development objectives. The two leaders welcomed the continuing cooperation between Pakistan and China for the promotion of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. Both sides agreed on the need to make United Nations Security Council more representative and effective, and that its reform should be achieved by consensus.

During his two-day visit, Mr. Wang Yi also attended the launch ceremony of ‘2015 Pakistan-China Year of Friendly Exchanges’, which was co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly, was the chief guest on the occasion. Several Federal Ministers, Chief Minister of Punjab and other dignitaries, attended the event.

During the Year of Friendly Exchanges, Pakistan and China have planned a series of activities in the Parliamentary, cultural, education, media, business, and other spheres to further strengthen their strategic partnership and all-weather friendship.

Islamabad
13 February 2015
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45/2015