Pakistan and China agree to strengthen cooperation to promote regional peace and stability, as reported by Radio Pakistan on Thursday following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang. During the conversation, Sharif praised China’s peaceful development as a positive force for international peace and stability and expressed confidence in China’s continued progress towards modernization and rejuvenation. The leaders discussed progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other areas of bilateral cooperation. Sharif also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for China on issues such as the One China policy, Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea.
The Chinese premier reiterated his country’s support for Pakistan’s national development, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and pledged to stand with Pakistan as an “all-weather friend.” The leaders expressed their mutual gratitude for each other’s support on core issues, including China’s principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Sharif described the conversation as “comprehensive and productive” in a tweet and reviewed the progress of Pakistan-China initiatives, including CPEC, aimed at achieving greater win-win outcomes.
Read More: Minister Ahsan Iqbal Denies China’s BRI as ‘Debt Trap’
The strengthened cooperation between Pakistan and China is expected to contribute to regional peace, prosperity, and stability, in line with the shared objectives of both nations. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative and is aimed at promoting economic development in Pakistan through infrastructure development, energy projects, and other initiatives. The closer ties between Pakistan and China are expected to deepen their strategic partnership and promote closer collaboration on a range of regional and global issues.
