The reaffirmation was made in a joint statement on All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership signed between Pakistan and China in Islamabad yesterday.
According to the joint statement, the Chinese side reiterated that Beijing has always placed its relationship with Islamabad on a priority position in its foreign policy agenda. China appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and staunch support on issues concerning China’s core interests. It also hailed Pakistan’s efforts for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues with its neighbours.
The statement notes that friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and China serve the fundamental interests of the two countries, and contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.
The Pakistani side described friendship with China as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Pakistan reiterated its support to one-China policy.
The statement said the two sides will further enhance strategic communication and coordination to safeguard their common interests.
Pakistan and China expressed satisfaction at the growing volume of bilateral trade, which has crossed fifteen billion dollar and agreed to make efforts to raise it to twenty billion dollar in next three years.
Pakistan welcomed the creation of Silk Road Fund by China and its utilization for CPEC-related projects.
The two sides believed that the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives represent a new model of regional and South-South cooperation.
The two sides agreed to further enhance defence and maritime cooperation, maintain high-level visits and exchanges at various levels between relevant departments of the two armed forces.
They reaffirmed their commitment to multilateral non-discriminatory arms control and non-proliferation endeavours. They agreed to continue bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards, in line with their respective bilateral and multilateral commitments. China appreciates and supports steps taken by Pakistan towards its mainstreaming into the global non-proliferation regime. In this context, China welcomes Pakistan’s engagement with the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
The two sides believe that the evolving situation in Afghanistan has immediate implications for regional security and stability.
President Xi Jinping invited President Mamnoon Hussain to visit China again at a mutually convenient time which was accepted.
(PBC)
