China pledged on Sunday to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan under the $60 billion CPEC investment package and called for a proper and peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue, while opposing any “unilateral actions” that could complicate the situation, as Prime Minister Imran Khan has China’s top leaders held talks including President Xi Jinping.
Khan, on the last day of a four-day visit to China, called on President Xi to discuss a range of issues, including the slow pace of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Beijing’s growing concern over repeated attacks on Chinese personnel working in China. Its various projects in Pakistan.
During a meeting with Khan, Xi said China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, dignity and fighting terrorism, according to state media Xinhua.
He said that China is willing to work with Pakistan to promote the in-depth development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and ensure the implementation of key projects.
“Both sides reaffirm that a peaceful and prosperous South Asia serves the common interests of all parties,” Khan said in a joint statement after his visit to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
“They underscored the importance of seeking dialogue and resolving all outstanding disputes in promoting regional cooperation and advancing the goals of lasting peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region,” the statement said.
“The Pakistani side informed the Chinese side of the latest developments in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including its concerns, positions and current pressing issues. The Chinese side reiterated that the Kashmir issue is a dispute left over from history and should be properly handled.” According to the UN Charter, the Security Council related resolutions and bilateral agreements for a proper and peaceful settlement. China opposes any unilateral actions that complicate the situation.
In the past, India has vehemently rejected any reference to Jammu and Kashmir in previous joint statements by Pakistan and China, claiming that the Union Territory and Ladakh have been and will continue to be integral parts of it.
In July 2021, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alindan Baghchi objected to a reference to the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in a statement issued by the two countries, saying it was illegally occupied by Pakistan on Indian soil.
“As in the past, India categorically refuses to mention Jammu and Kashmir. The joint territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the joint territory of Ladakh have been and will continue to be an integral part of India,” Mr Bachi said.
The spokesman said that India has been conveying to both China and Pakistan that the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is in India.
“We are firmly opposed to attempts by other countries to change the status quo in areas illegally occupied by Pakistan and any substantive changes that Pakistan proposes in Indian territories under its illegal occupation. We call on the parties concerned to stop such behavior,” he said.
The Sino-Pakistani joint statement also stated that China recognizes the sacrifices and efforts made by the Pakistani side in combating terrorism, and the two sides reaffirm their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“The two sides agreed to continue the momentum of defense cooperation between the Pakistani and Chinese armed forces at all levels,” the statement said.
China has become Pakistan’s largest supplier of weapons, including main battle tanks, fighter jets and the latest naval frigates.
“They stressed that strengthening defense and security cooperation between Pakistan and China is an important factor for peace and stability in the region,” it said.
During his meeting with Khan, Xi called for “more confidence” in China-Pakistan relations, saying the “strategic significance” of the all-weather relationship was “more and more prominent” as the two countries signed multiple agreements to consolidate the relationship.
“The two sides expressed their firm determination to safeguard the CPEC from all threats and negative publicity,” the joint statement said.
The Pakistani side reiterated that it will make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan, and the Chinese side appreciates the measures taken by the Pakistani side.
In light of several attacks, China has repeatedly called on Pakistan to strengthen security for thousands of people working in the CPEC.
Khan has praised Chinese leaders for hosting the Winter Olympics, but has faced diplomatic boycotts by the United States and its allies for violating the human rights of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. During his visit, the two sides signed a series of memorandums of understanding covering cooperation in bilateral fields, economy technology, industry, investment, infrastructure, space, vaccines, digitization, standardization, disaster management, culture, sports and vocational education, the joint statement said.
According to Nong Rong, China’s special envoy to Islamabad, one of the most prominent of these agreements is the new industrial cooperation framework agreement, which will start the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, in which China has so far invested about $25 billion.
During his meeting with Khan, Xi called on both sides to “create a brighter future for bilateral relations with firmer confidence,” according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. He did not elaborate.
“The two sides are ready to discuss with Afghanistan the extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan,” the joint statement said.
Xi Jinping said that China is willing to work with Pakistan to expand cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, people’s livelihood and other fields, jointly build a green and healthy digital corridor, and support Pakistan’s industrialization to enhance its sustainable development capabilities.
Xi Jinping said that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Pakistan on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations to jointly maintain world and regional peace and stability.
In a meeting with Khan on Saturday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Pakistan was a priority for China’s neighboring diplomacy and encouraged its industrial and commercial enterprises to invest.
The Pakistani side is willing to actively promote the construction of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in the fields of industry, agriculture and information technology.
This is Khan’s fourth visit to China after his last visit in October 2019.
Complete news Source : NDTV
