Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping called on Mr. Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, at the Foreign Office today.
While welcoming Vice Foreign Minister Cheng to Islamabad, Mr. Fatemi said the recent, historic visit to Pakistan by Chinese President Xi Jinping had injected new vitality into the countries’ relationship, and helped further strengthen their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. The SAPM said friendship with China was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He said the two Governments had reached consensus on upgrading their strategic ties, making the bilateral relationship a model for building a “Community of Shared Destiny.”
Mr. Fatemi underscored the importance of the timely implementation of the agreements relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which were signed during the Chinese President’s visit. He noted that the CPEC had direct relevance to President Xi’s vision for “One Belt, One Road.”
Vice Foreign Minister Cheng said China attached the highest importance to its relations with Pakistan. The two countries were ‘Iron Brothers’. He agreed with the SAPM that the CPEC was as an important part of China’s larger vision for economic and transport connectivity in the region. He described the CPEC as a transformative project, which would benefit the people of both countries.
The Chinese Vice Foreign Minister appreciated Pakistan’s critical role in prosecuting the global war on terrorism, and urged the international community to recognize Pakistan’s contribution and sacrifices in this struggle. He lauded Pakistan’s contribution for regional peace and stability, which were underscored by Pakistan’s support for the Heart of Asia process.
The SAPM said Pakistan and China shared a common vision for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. Pakistan believed an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led political reconciliation process was imperative for achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Islamabad
May 26, 2015
