Beijing (Web Desk): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Hainan province of China.
China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, choosing a development path based on its national conditions, striving for a better external security environment and playing a more constructive role on international and regional affairs,” read a joint communiqué after talks between the leaders.
“The Chinese side reiterated that Pakistan and China are iron brothers and Pakistan remains China’s staunchest partner in the region and that China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, independently choosing a development path based on its national conditions, striving for a better external security environment and playing a more constructive role on international and regional affairs,” the joint communiqué read.
The joint statement suggests that Pakistan is not ready to compromise on Belt and Road Initiative and would continue to pursue its flagship program — CPEC — irrespective of the pressure being exerted by certain international players.
Both sides underscored that CPEC has entered the new phase of high-quality development, and has played and will continue to play an important role in supporting Pakistan to overcome the impact of Covid-19 and achieve greater development.
The two sides will continue to firmly advance the construction of CPEC, ensure in-time completion of under-construction projects, focus on economic and social development, job creation and improvement of people's livelihood, and further strengthen cooperation in Specialised Economic Zones, industrial relocation, science and technology, medical and health, human resources training, poverty alleviation, and agriculture etc., with the aim to continuously unleash the great potential of CPEC to make it a hub of regional connectivity.
The Foreign Minister is in China to represent Pakistan in the second round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue.
