Pak-China agree to strengthen counter terrorism cooperation, emphasizing that any attempts to strain their ties will not succeed, according to the Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday.
Both countries also decided to enhance collaboration in defense, agriculture, and information technology. These topics were discussed during President Asif Ali Zardari’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji during his visit to China.
A joint statement released by the FO highlighted Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorist attacks targeting Chinese nationals in the country. It reiterated Pakistan’s responsibility to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions as part of its “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” with China.
The statement also acknowledged the contributions of Chinese nationals in Pakistan’s development, underscoring their role in improving livelihoods and fostering economic progress. Pakistan expressed its gratitude for China’s unwavering support in various sectors.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism with a “zero-tolerance attitude” and agreed to strengthen cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
Pakistan pledged to continue its efforts to investigate terrorist incidents involving Chinese nationals and bring perpetrators to justice. It also vowed to enhance security measures to ensure a safe environment for Chinese personnel and projects.
China commended Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices in countering terrorism and expressed readiness to support Pakistan in enhancing its counter-terrorism capacity.
During discussions, Pakistan also reaffirmed its support for the “One-China” policy, recognizing Taiwan as an integral part of China and endorsing Beijing’s stance on Xinjiang, Tibet (Xizang), Hong Kong, and the South China Sea.
China, in turn, reiterated its strong support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, while also backing Pakistan’s efforts for national security, stability, and development.
The statement emphasized that the China-Pakistan “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” was deeply rooted in history and enjoyed broad support across both nations.
Despite shifting global dynamics, the bond between the two countries remains unshaken, transcending geopolitical interests and contributing positively to regional peace, stability, and development.
China reiterated that Pakistan holds a special place in its foreign policy, while Pakistan underscored that its relationship with China remains the cornerstone of its own foreign policy. Both sides committed to deepening high-level political trust, security cooperation, and strategic coordination.
The two leaders pledged to further enhance economic and infrastructure ties, accelerating efforts to build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
In recent years, China has been a key investor in Pakistan’s infrastructure and economic sectors, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) playing a central role in development projects. China has thousands of workers engaged in CPEC initiatives, which fall under Beijing’s larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
During President Zardari’s visit, both sides signed over a dozen agreements covering cooperation in CPEC, trade, science and technology, social welfare, and media.
The FO also confirmed that President Zardari would attend the opening ceremony of the Ninth Asian Winter Games during his stay in China.
Additionally, President Zardari extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping for a visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.
Pakistan and China’s strong ties are rooted in shared geopolitical interests, including a mutual strategy to balance regional dynamics and counter external influences.
China’s financial and investment support has been crucial for Pakistan’s economic stability, with over $65 billion in investments under the CPEC framework since 2013.
The FO noted that both nations aim to strengthen cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, and communication technologies. Cultural and academic exchanges, including partnerships in media, think tanks, and youth programs, were also discussed.
Both sides committed to further trade liberalization under Phase-II of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement and exploring new avenues for mutual economic benefits.
China and Pakistan agreed to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation by establishing economic corridors focused on growth, innovation, environmental sustainability, and open markets, in alignment with Pakistan’s Five E’s framework.
Infrastructure projects such as the upgrade of Main Line-1 (ML-1) and the realignment of the Karakoram Highway (Raikot-Thakot section) were also prioritized, with both nations agreeing to finalize their implementation and financing soon.
Pakistan also reaffirmed its support for China’s Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, emphasizing its commitment to international cooperation.
President Zardari acknowledged China’s remarkable progress and expressed Pakistan’s support for China’s vision of modernization and economic development.
China also acknowledged Pakistan’s “Uraan” economic transformation plan, applauding its reform efforts and expressing hope for its long-term success.
Following the 13th meeting of the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC), both countries agreed to strengthen strategic coordination for the corridor’s high-quality development and expedite the 14th JCC meeting.
The official inauguration of the new Gwadar International Airport was welcomed, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to enhancing Gwadar Port’s role as a regional trade and logistics hub.
Pakistan assured China of its efforts to improve the business climate, offering incentives to attract Chinese investments in sectors like mining and energy.
Both countries agreed to expand agricultural cooperation under CPEC and welcomed third-party participation in the initiative.
China also pledged support for Pakistan’s science and technology sector, encouraging Chinese firms to invest in Pakistan’s digital economy and innovation-driven industries.
The two nations expressed satisfaction with their joint ventures in export-oriented industries, encouraging further business-to-business collaborations.
Pakistan highly appreciated China’s financial and fiscal support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in the banking and financial sectors.
Both sides also committed to enhancing collaboration in healthcare, agriculture, climate response, and disaster management, with China continuing to support social welfare projects in Pakistan.
Educational cooperation was also a key focus, with China offering support for Pakistani students in learning the Chinese language and vocational training opportunities.
The two countries expressed satisfaction with their ongoing collaboration in space exploration and pledged to deepen cooperation in this strategic area.
Defense ties were highlighted, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to maintaining high-level military exchanges and expanding cooperation in joint training, exercises, and military technology.
Pakistan and China also emphasized their close coordination at the United Nations and other multilateral forums, vowing to safeguard the interests of developing nations.
On regional security, both nations stressed the importance of a peaceful and stable South Asia, urging the resolution of all outstanding disputes through diplomatic means.
Pakistan briefed China on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and China reiterated its position that the issue should be resolved peacefully under relevant UN resolutions and bilateral agreements.
Both sides also pledged to continue close coordination on Afghanistan, urging the interim Afghan government to take concrete steps to eliminate terrorist threats emanating from its territory.
Pakistan and China jointly welcomed the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and expressed hope for a permanent resolution to the conflict.
Both nations reaffirmed their support for Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Additionally, Pakistan and China committed to expanding their cooperation in infrastructure, mining, and offshore energy exploration.
China recognized Gwadar Port as a vital trade and connectivity hub and pledged further investment to fully unlock its economic potential.
Chinese enterprises were encouraged to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mining sector and offshore oil and gas developments.
Pakistan, in turn, welcomed Chinese investments in these critical sectors, reaffirming its commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment.
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