China, Pakistan deepen cooperation ahead of SCO Summit

China has expressed willingness to make joint efforts with Pakistan to ensure the success of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Tianjin on Wednesday.

The meeting between the two ministers followed the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SCO Member States held on Tuesday, during which the member states agreed to hold the SCO Summit in Tianjin from Aug 31 to Sep 1.

During the talks, Wang expressed appreciation for Pakistan's firm support for China's rotating chairmanship of the SCO.

Describing the bilateral friendship as unique and enduring, Wang called on Beijing and Islamabad to strengthen strategic cooperation and implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders to promote the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

China is ready to work with Pakistan to deepen strategic dialogue, advance the high-quality development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and expand cooperation in areas including agriculture, industry, and mining, he said.

Wang added that China supports Pakistan in resolutely advancing its counterterrorism efforts and expressed confidence that Pakistan will continue to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in the country.

Dar told Wang that Pakistan fully supports China in hosting a successful SCO Summit.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the one-China principle and voiced full support for China on issues related to its core interests.

Pakistan looks forward to further deepening bilateral cooperation in all fields and will make every effort to ensure the safety and security of Chinese citizens and institutions on its soil, he added.