ISLAMABAD: Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister (FM) paid an official visit to Pakistan from 7-9 September 2018.

He conveyed the message of goodwill and support from the Chinese leadership for the new government of Pakistan.

During his visit, Wang Yi held delegation level talks with foreign minister followed by a joint press conference. He also called on the President, Prime Minister, speaker National Assembly and Chief of Army Staff, said a press release issued here on Monday.

Wang Yi was a special guest at the oath-taking ceremony of President of Pakistan and was the first foreign dignitary to call on him after his inauguration on the same day.

The two sides had in-depth exchange of views on all issues of mutual interest. The visit provided an opportunity to the two sides to reaffirm their “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership”.

During the meetings, Pakistani leadership conveyed that the CPEC is a national priority for the government. Pakistan remains committed to the successful implementation of the CPEC. There was complete consensus on the future trajectory of CPEC between Pakistan and China. The two sides agreed to work together towards implementation of the ongoing projects and agreed to expand the CPEC to new areas of cooperation including socio-economic development; poverty alleviation, anti-corruption, agricultural cooperation and industrial development as per the needs and priorities of the government of Pakistan.

The visit had a special significance as it came right after the installation of new government and on the day of the oath-taking ceremony of the new President. From the substantive point of view it helped in further strengthening the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.—PR