BEIJING, China – In wake of recent terrorist attack on a local hotel at Gwadar Port, China and Pakistan have agreed to further deepening bilateral counterterrorism cooperation, besides boosting high level exchanges and evolving consensus stance on bilateral and multilateral issues.
The agreement reached during a meeting held between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi with his Chinese counterpart Mr Wang Yi on the side line of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
During a media briefing here, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on Thursday that both the strategic allies had agreed to implement the consensus reached by the leadership of the two leaders during prime ministry Imran Khan’s recent visit to Beijing where he also attended the second Belt & Road Forum.
“Both the countries have agreed to high level exchanges and deepening our practical cooperation for more purpose was in our bilateral relations. Both sides believe that our strategic corporate partnership is deepened in our BRI cooperation,” he added.
The spokesperson said the two sides also exchanged views on the Afghan issue and agreed to strengthen communication and coordination, jointly promote the early political settlement of the Afghan issue, and maintain regional peace and stability.
During the foreign minister’s meeting between the two countries, Wag Yi had expressed China’s concerns over the recent terrorist attack over Pearl Continental Hotel at Gwadar Port.
“The nature (of attack) is serious and the impact is bad. It is worthy of high vigilance. The Chinese side appreciates Pakistan’s long-term efforts to combat terrorism. It hopes and believes that the Pakistani side will strengthen security work for Chinese personnel and institutions in Pakistan and safeguard the security of China-Pakistan cooperation,” said a statement issued by China’s ministry of foreign affairs following Mr Wang Yi’s meeting with Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Qureshi told Mr Wang Yi that Pakistan is willing to work with China to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges between the two countries, implement the results of the second “Belt and Road” international cooperation summit forum, and strengthen the cooperation between the two countries to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries to promote new achievements in bilateral relations.
He said Pakistani side is fully consistent with the Chinese goal in combating terrorism and extremism. “The concern of the Chinese side is the concern of the Palestinian side. The Pakistani side will do its utmost to protect the security of Chinese citizens and institutions in Pakistan,” said Mr Qureshi.
He said Pakistan continues to strengthen bilateral anti-terrorism cooperation under the dual multilateral framework and safeguard the common interests of the two countries and regional peace and stability.
