China ready to work with Pakistan
BEIJING: China is ready to pool efforts with Pakistan to promote an “upgraded version” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), foreign minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday, according to his ministry.
Wang met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Wednesday. Reuters
OUR REPORTER ADDS FROM ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have renewed their joint commitment to advance the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in its second phase, with its focus on five corridors namely, growth, innovation, open, livelihood, and green corridors.
According to a separate statement issued here by Foreign Office, Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar co-chaired the 5th round of China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue with Member of the Politburo of CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday.
It stated that the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. Noting the China-Pakistan “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership”, the deputy prime minister underlined relations with China as the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
It added that the deputy prime minister highlighted the threats posed to regional peace and security due to India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, and appreciated China’s principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
“Both sides reiterated the resolve to further deepen the bilateral ties through continued high-level exchanges and bilateral consultative mechanisms. They also renewed the commitment to advance the high-quality development of CPEC in its second phase with its focus on five corridors namely, growth, innovation, open, livelihood, [and] green corridors,” read the Foreign Office statement.
However, no joint statement was issued of the 5th round of the China-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue and the two foreign ministers held a joint press conference at the conclusion of the dialogue in Beijing.
