Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday said the friendly relationship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and that his government was committed to the implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In a meeting with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, the prime minister thanked Foreign Minister Wang Yi for good wishes of the Chinese leadership.

The state councilor congratulated the prime minister on his assumption of the office and expressed best wishes of the Chinese leadership for the new government. He conveyed the desire of the Chinese leadership to work with the new government for further enhancing the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China. He underscored the significance of China-Pakistan relationship which served as a model of friendship in the interstate relations. He underscored the significance of CPEC for the mutual benefit of the people of both the countries. He also conveyed the invitation of Premier Li Keqiang for an official visit to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The prime minister thanked Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for his congratulatory telephone call and for his message of support to the new government. He also thanked the Chinese premier for the invitation to visit China and stated that he looked forward to his visit and meetings with the Chinese leadership.

During the meeting, both the sides discussed the regional situation and global issues.

Later, the Chinese foreign minister called on President Dr Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The foreign minister congratulated the president on his assumption of the office and conveyed the good wishes of the Chinese leadership for the new government. He said that he was honoured to be the first to have a meeting with the president immediately after his oath-taking ceremony.

While underlining the significance of China in Pakistan’s foreign policy, President Alvi said he looked forward to strengthening the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China in all areas. Recognizing the significance of CPEC for both the countries, the president re-affirmed the commitment of the government towards the implementation of the initiative. He also extended an invitation to President Xi Jinping to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

The Chinese minister emphasized the significance of strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and expressed the hope to further enhance it. He also referred to his call on the prime minister and delegation-level talks with the foreign minister during the visit which had provided an opportunity to exchange views on all matters of mutual interest including regional and multilateral issues.

The president thanked Wang Yi for the message of goodwill from the Chinese leadership and reiterated the resolve to work with China to take the bilateral relationship to new heights during his tenure.

Earlier, the Chinese foreign minister along with members of his delegation had attended the oath-taking ceremony of the president.

Published in Daily Times, September 10^th 2018.