Xi calls for building closer China-Pakistan community with shared future

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on Sunday, saying that China is willing to work with Pakistan to accelerate the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, bring benefits to the people of the two countries, provide impetus for regional cooperation and contribute to world peace.

Recalling that China and Pakistan celebrated the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, Xi called on the two sides to create better future for bilateral relations with firmer confidence.

Xi stressed that the strategic significance of China-Pakistan relations is getting more prominent since the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation.

China and Pakistan should carry forward the tradition of mutual trust, mutual assistance and cooperation, and carry out more extensive and in-depth strategic cooperation, Xi said.

China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, dignity and fighting terrorism, said Xi, adding China is willing to join hands with Pakistan to push forward the in-depth development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and ensure the implementation of key projects.

He expressed China’s willingness to work with Pakistan to expand cooperation in the fields such as science and technology, agriculture and people’s wellbeing, build a green, healthy and digital corridor, and support Pakistan’s industrialization to enhance its sustainable development capability.

Xi said that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Pakistan on multilateral platforms including the United Nations, to safeguard world and regional peace and stability, and actively translate the Global Development Initiative into concrete actions.

Khan congratulated China on the marvellous opening ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics and thanked China for providing valuable help to Pakistan in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pakistan is willing to take active steps to promote the construction of the second phase of CPEC, and strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of industry, agriculture and information technology, Khan said.