China Pledges Full Support for Pakistan Flood Victims

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Pakistan, pledging full assistance for flood victims and emphasising that both countries share a common goal of regional peace.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Mr Wang said China values its strategic partnership with Pakistan and will take relations to “new heights”. He said the two countries had agreed to enhance cooperation in industry, agriculture, mining, counterterrorism, and trade.

“CPEC will be advanced with high-quality cooperation,” he said, adding that China sees Pakistan as a “trusted friend” and looks forward to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing.

Mr Dar welcomed the Chinese foreign minister and said Pakistan highly valued China’s role in its foreign policy. He said both sides discussed trade expansion and projects under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He also lauded China’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and regional security.

“We have consensus on all key issues and will continue working together for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” Mr Dar said.

6th Strategic Dialogue
The discussions were part of the sixth round of the Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and China, during which both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global issues.

According to APP, the dialogue also covered CPEC 2.0, trade and economic relations, multilateral cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides reaffirmed the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and agreed to maintain close coordination bilaterally as well as at multilateral forums.