Foreign Minister Khwaja
Muhammad Asif met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today in Beijing. The two
leaders discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations and the prevailing
regional situation.
Appreciating the all
weather friendship between Pakistan and China, Foreign Minister said these
relations were founded in the principles of mutual-trust, equality,
non-interference, harmonious co-existence and win-win cooperation based on
common agenda of socio-economic development. He expressed great satisfaction in
the spirit of mutual support to each other on the issues of their vital
national interest.
Emphasizing that CPEC
offered a unique opportunity for the two countries to integrate with regional
trading routes, the Foreign Ministers reaffirmed mutual commitment of both
governments to continue effective implementation of the projects under this
initiative.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi
reiterated China’s consistent support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial
integrity, stability and development. Lauding Pakistan’s remarkable
achievements in counter-terrorism, he stated that Pakistan has been at the
forefront of international efforts to combat terrorism for a long time, which
the international community should recognize and appreciate.
The two Foreign Ministers
also exchanged views on issues of peace and stability in the region,
particularly in the context of President Trump’s South Asia review focusing on
its policy in Afghanistan. They agreed that there was no military solution to
the conflict in Afghanistan and there was need for continued efforts for a
politically negotiated settlement under an Afghan-led Afghan-owned peace
process.
They also agreed to
continue to work together bilaterally as well as through trilateral forum for
promoting peace, stability and development in Afghanistan and the region. In
this regard, Pakistan reiterated support for China’s offer to host the first
trilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan
later this year.
This was the first visit of
Foreign Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif to China after assuming his office last
month. During the visit, he also called on the head of commission for political
and legal affairs of CPC central committee Mr. Meng Jianzhu and State
Counsellor Yang Jiechi.