China Pakistan Photo: VCG

 China has always placed Pakistan as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and is willing to enhance the level of all-round strategic cooperation with Pakistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Wednesday, during which the two sides reiterated their "ironclad" friendship amid profound world changes.

China views China-Pakistan relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and Pakistan has always been a high priority in China's neighborhood diplomacy. China is ready to work with Pakistan to elevate the level of all-round strategic cooperation, speed up efforts to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, and inject new impetus into their all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, Xi stressed. 

China appreciates Pakistan's support on issues vital to China's core and major concerns. China will continue to firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, development interests and dignity, and in achieving unity, stability, development and prosperity, Xi said.   

After presenting the key outcomes of the 20th CPC National Congress, Xi underscored that China will continue its fundamental policy of opening-up and provide new opportunities to Pakistan and the rest of the world through continuous development.  

The two sides should make full use of the Joint Cooperation Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), advance CPEC with greater efficiency, and make CPEC an exemplar of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi stressed. 

They should also accelerate the construction of auxiliary infrastructure for Gwadar Port to unleash its role in driving interconnected development in the region. The two sides will work together to create conditions for the early implementation of the upgradation of ML-1 and the Karachi Circular Railway project, Xi said.

Pakistan is welcome to export more quality agri-products to China. China will work with Pakistan to expand cooperation in digital economy, e-commerce, photovoltaic and other new-energy technologies, and take solid steps to advance cooperation concerning agriculture, science, technology and people's livelihood. China will continue to do its best to support Pakistan in stabilizing its financial situation, Xi said. 

Xi also expressed his great concern about the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and conveyed his hope that Pakistan will provide a reliable and safe environment for Chinese institutions and personnel working on cooperation projects there.

Facing a highly uncertain world, both sides should stand on the right side of history, keep up their strong cooperation in multilateral mechanisms, and work closely on major international and regional issues so as to uphold true multilateralism, international fairness and justice and the shared interests of developing countries, and inject certainty and positives into the world, Xi noted. 

On his part, Sharif said that it is a great honor for him to be among the first foreign leaders to visit China after the successful 20th CPC National Congress. The visit is a testament to the profound, iron-clad friendship between Pakistan and China.

Sharif said that over the past decade, under the leadership of President Xi, China has created a miracle of great development achievements. China has upheld multilateralism, promoted global solidarity and cooperation, and made important contributions to safeguarding world peace and development. In doing so, China has lived up to its responsibility as a major country. 

"The world cannot operate without China, and China's development cannot be isolated or contained by any force," Sharif said. 

Sharif also reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to the one-China policy and its firm support for China's position on issues concerning China's core interests including Taiwan, Xizang and Hong Kong.

CPEC has had a profound impact on Pakistan's economic and social development. Pakistan is ready to work with China to continue promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and hopes to have China's strong support in the upgradation of ML-1, the Karachi Circular Railway and other important infrastructure projects, the Pakistani Prime Minister said.  

Pakistan will further step up security measures and do all it can to protect the safety of Chinese institutions and personnel, Sharif said. 

Global Times