Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and involve third parties in the project to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation. The two sides held the third round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) in Beijing, where they reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and agreed to reinforce political and security cooperation, bilateral trade, economic and financial cooperation, cultural exchanges, tourism, and people-to-people ties. The Foreign Office released a statement after the meeting, stating that CPEC remains a major pillar of bilateral cooperation and a symbol of ever-deepening friendship between the two nations. Both Pakistan and China will enhance high-level engagements and dialogue mechanisms to make communication channels even more robust.
Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan led the Pakistani delegation, while Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong led the Chinese side. The two sides agreed to continue their engagements and dialogues to strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs and consolidate ties. Dr. Khan expressed his gratitude to the Chinese side for their economic support and humanitarian assistance during the devastating floods in 2022. The Chinese vice foreign minister reaffirmed his country’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic security. The two sides exchanged views on a range of regional and global issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction over their close cooperation and engagement on important regional developments, including in Afghanistan.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Dr. Khan and reiterated China’s commitment to the strategic and cooperative partnership between the two countries. Qin Gang said China was ready to work with Pakistan to advance friendly cooperation and promote the construction of CPEC. He also agreed to extend “across-the-board support” to Pakistan. Dr Khan stated that Pakistan and China would strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs and consolidate ties. They also agreed to build on the consensus reached during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing in November 2022.
