China calls for deepening cooperation with Pakistan

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and Pakistan to deepen strategic communication and promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation in talks he held with Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday. The two foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

During the talks, Wang reiterated China's firm support for Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, exploring a path suiting its national conditions and playing a more important role in both regional and international affairs.

Wang called on the two countries to accelerate the building of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, advance infrastructure cooperation and bolster the alignment of industrial cooperation as well as industrial and supply chains.

He also expressed China's willingness to support Chinese enterprises' investment in Pakistan, increase the country's import of Pakistan's quality agricultural products, as well as resume and expand personnel exchanges and the connectivity of flight routes.

On his part, Bilawal said Pakistan would continue to firmly stand with China on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns.

Pakistan would accelerate the building of the CPEC and discuss the extension of the corridor to Afghanistan, he said.

He also voiced support for the China-proposed Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, saying Pakistan would actively join in the implementation of the two initiatives.

Pakistan attaches great importance to the security of Chinese institutions and personnel in Pakistan, Bilawal stressed, while pledging the country would hold perpetrators in the terrorist attacks in April accountable and strengthen security protection.

The two sides noted they would strengthen cooperation to uphold legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the Afghanistan issue.