Pakistan, China reaffirm economic and security ties in a meeting in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong met in Islamabad on Friday to discuss economic and security cooperation between Pakistan and China, as reported by state-run Radio Pakistan.
Their meeting coincided with the recent celebration of the Chinese New Year on January 29, which was observed by millions across Asia. On this occasion, both PM Shehbaz and President Zardari had extended special greetings.
During the meeting, Ambassador Zaidong and PM Shehbaz discussed key aspects of bilateral economic and security collaboration. The prime minister expressed hope that the Chinese New Year would further solidify the friendship between the two nations and bring prosperity to their people.
PM Shehbaz warmly greeted Ambassador Zaidong on the Chinese New Year, conveying his best wishes to the Chinese leadership and the people of China, including Chinese nationals living in Pakistan.
In response, Ambassador Zaidong thanked PM Shehbaz and the people of Pakistan for their heartfelt wishes to the Chinese government and its citizens on the festive occasion.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Chinese envoy also met with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between China and Pakistan.
The meeting took place just days after Pakistan’s Foreign Office rejected what it called “baseless and unfounded” allegations questioning the country’s commitment to China’s policies, following the interior minister’s participation in an event in the United States.
The Foreign Office issued a statement on Monday amid increasing criticism of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s attendance at an event organized by the New Federal State of China (NFSC), a group known for its anti-China stance.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, the FO emphasized that the One-China Policy has been a “consistent cornerstone” of the country’s foreign policy, dismissing any claims of a shift in its position.
Mohsin Naqvi, who faced backlash over his participation, later clarified that the event was not anti-China but did not directly address claims regarding NFSC’s involvement. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office refrained from commenting on NFSC’s sponsorship of the event.
Pakistan and China share a strong bilateral relationship, with China playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s economic development through investments and initiatives such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), often described as the country’s economic “lifeline.”
Related Posts
